The sports fraternity in Nandi County can breathe a sigh of relief following the move by the National Government to put up a multimillion-modern stadium in Kapsabet town to nurture talents among locals.
The announcement was made through a local newspaper by Sports Kenya, advertising the tender for the construction of ‘Eliud Kipchoge Stadium’ in Kapsabet town, with interested bidders expected to return their documents on October 26.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang said the county government had set aside the required land and expeditiously processed the necessary documents and approvals for the projects.
Speaking at Kapsabet Showground after inspecting the ground, the governor thanked the county leadership under the guidance of Head of Public Service Mr. Felix Koskei and local MPs, whose collective efforts had hastened the realisation of the project.
“Nandi, famed as the cradle of champions, is happy to host the facility. We thank the national government and all stakeholders for their tireless dedication to this endeavour,” he said.
The stadium, once completed, will enable the county to produce professional sportsmen and women who will be able to join local and international clubs to earn a living.
At present, the North Rift region has no proper public stadium, yet Kenyan athletes, who are the country’s best ambassador abroad because of their prowess, lack a decent place to train.
The renovation of Kipchoge Keino Stadium by the Nandi County Government stalled in its initial stages five years ago after the national government failed to disburse the money.
Athletes have been using footpaths in tea plantations for speed training because they are well maintained, while others are forced to travel about 15 kilometres from Kapsabet to the University of East Africa, Baraton.
The stadium situated in Kapsabet town is historical to the county, having been named after one of the greatest Kenyan athletes, Kipchoge Keino, who used the field as his springboard to greatness in the late 1960s and 1970s.
Athletes have welcomed the move, saying the establishment of the stadium will boost the region economically and help nurture sports talent.
They noted that most sporting facilities in the region have stalled and turned to eyesores, putting to shame areas that have produced the highest number of top athletes who continue to rank in the medals.
“Most young athletes continue to struggle as they lack basic training facilities such as running tracks, physiotherapy, and a gym, among others, to prepare them for major competition,” said Elijah Koech, an upcoming athlete.
By Linet Wafula
