The government is constructing a seven-storeyed sports academy in Kasarani, Nairobi, at a cost of Sh4.9 billion for talent identification and development of Kenyan sportsmen and women interested in pursuing elite sports careers.
The Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Doreen Odhiambo, said the Academy will accommodate the best talented under-18-years of age for intensive training, who will later be promoted to the national team.
She said Phase I of the sports project, entails a seven storeyed hostel block, a three star hotel, indoor sports hall and 35 playgrounds, estimated to cost over Sh859, 814,770 million.
Currently five playgrounds, which include one rugby pitch, two football pitches and two basketball courts are complete and inside the building, there will be 78 self-contained rooms of which 26 are complete, 399 cubicles of which 115 are complete, a kitchen, a dining hall, six offices, three classrooms, a computer lab, boardroom and 11 washrooms.
Dr. Odhiambo who was briefing the Nairobi County Development Implementation Coordination Committee (CDICC) team led by Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. Jason Kimathi and the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Larry Mulomi, from the President’s Delivery Unit. The team had visited the Academy to inspect the ongoing works, was informed the facility is a Vision 2030 Flagship project.
The CEO said the management is expecting funds for the phase II project, noting the project will also add three boreholes, put a perimeter wall, elevated tanks, field irrigation system, an ablution block, furnishing and equipment, erect a temporary bridge connecting the academy and playground, and signage in the pitches, which were left out during planning and finishing of the hostel building at a cost of Sh554 million.
She said the completion of the project, which is currently at 98 per cent will be used to pursue elite sports performance, through talent identification and development, training and capacity building of technical sports administration personnel as well as promoting research in sports. It will be in a position to run more programs.
The Academy’s function will also include establishing and managing sports training academies, collecting, collating, storing and disseminating tangible and intangible historical sports material to the public, sports organizations, researchers and institutions of learning.
It will receive and analyze data on training requirements from sports organizations and will also link with other institutions and organization for regular updates on the current sports trends.
Mr. Kimathi told the management of the Academy to write a comprehensive report to the CDICC Committee to enable it address issues that may delay the completion of the project as stipulated.
Mr. Kimanthi said the project was vital as it will fulfill the Competency Based Curriculum and enable those talented in sports land a career.
Mr. Mulomi, from the President’s Delivery Unit, lauded the progress of the ongoing works and urged the contractor to finish the project on time to enable the Academy commence training.
By Bernadette Khaduli
