By Erick Ochieng
The government has begun the construction of a multimillion state of the art International Sports Academy (ISA) at Moi International Sports Centre-Kasarani.
Ground breaking ceremony for the project, which is part of Kenya’s Vision 2030 flagship projects, was presided over by Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba.
The first phase of the Academy comprising of an administration block, indoor facilities, and pitches, seating terraces, ablution block, sports medicine and research centre, is expected to end in 2016 with a total cost of Sh850m. The government has allocated Sh145m.
The second phase, to cost Sh4.5m, will comprise of residential apartments, a three star hotel and an aquatic stadium.
Kenya will use ISA to promote competitive training, research and application of modern technology in development of all disciplines.
“ISA is recognition that excellence in sports is indeed a science and its display is an art. Our focus will be on skills development as well as training of administrators, trainers, coaches and instructors,” said the Minister.
The Academy is expected to attract international and local sports persons for training camps or specific team preparations. It shall become the location for national team camps and the centre of specialisation for national federations.
The Academy will be part of value addition programmes in sports by creating a unique sports tourism, destination and products.
This will help in nurturing Gross Domestic Product through the consumption of sports-related products and investment in sports industries.
“Social contribution of the Academy will include transfer of skills and widening the talent catchment areas through integration of programmes and activities with those of the immediate neighbourhoods,” said Namwamba, who was flanked by Sports Commissioner Gordon Oluoch, Sports Stadia Management Board chairman Nderitu Gikaria, SSMB Chief Executive Officer Gabriel Komora, among others.
