Why upgrading of Nyayo Stadium will delay

Sports and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has stated that Nyayo National Stadium will remain operational to host the fourth edition of the KipKieno Classic, a Continental Gold Tour on 20th April 2024.

Speaking during a meeting with Sports Journalist Association of Kenya (SJAK) Executive Committee members at Talanta Hela Plaza on Wednesday, Namwamba said that construction for the stadium will delay for a maximum six months due to international commitments.

Such include the KipKeino Classic Continetal Gold Tour, and Harambee Stars’ two World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast.

“Kasarani stadium is a full blown construction site in preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. We kicked off the construction and halted all sporting activities at the facility and I believe it will be renovated to FIFA standards 

“For now we are only left with left Nyayo Stadium for international events and it will be a bad feeling see the our home World Cup qualifiers matches played in another country, so we delay the upgrading of Nyayo for good reasons,” said Ababu.

KipKeino will be returning to Nyayo National Stadium, the venue which hosted the first edition in 2021. This was during the Covid-19 pandemic but later moved to Moi International Sports Center Kasarani in 2022.

Ababu has in the meantime reiterated Kenya’s plans to field players in all the FIFA Youth World Cup qualifiers, saying that there is a pool of over 2,000 players from school ball games who can set up boys and girls teams for Under 20, Under 17, and Under 15.

“We have a huge pool of players and we want to ensure that there is a consistency of players being exposed to international play for experience to ease with transition from youth to senior category.

“We had successful school games last year in Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega whereby we spotted 2,000 talents who were recruited in Kenya Academy of Sports. We also funded the inter-county competition which culminated in a national final at Nyayo Stadium and we selected at least 158 players who were incorporated in the camp to fit in World Cup U-20, U-17 and U-15 teams respectively.

“For the first time in history we will take the selected player to the Mediterranean International Championship in Spain early this year so that they can gain experiences and create a chance to be spotted by other scouts. By doing this I believe that our teams in different categories of age will qualify for the World Cup,” explained the CS.

Ababu at the same time commended the SJAK for the “commendable job” promoting sports activities in the country.

“We want to foster a good working relationship with the sports journalists to enhance inclusivity for all and all sports. It is easy to work with someone who has clarity of work. I ask you to correct us when we error, we too we are human and not everything will be done in perfection hence a third eye from you will be highly appreciated.”