Egyptian firm woos Kenyans with 40pc discount to join its luxury sports club

Wadi Degla Investment, an Egyptian company that develops private sports clubs, will today break ground for its first resort in Kenya.

The firm plans to set up a members-only sports centre at Home Afrika’s Migaa property development in Kiambu. The club will occupy 10 acres, and is scheduled to open in June next year.

“This is a very realistic target as we are not putting up an overly complicated development — most of the buildings will occupy just one floor,” said Joseph Reda, Wadi Degla’s Kenya managing director.

The planned club will host multi-purpose courts for basketball, handball and volleyball, squash and tennis courts, as well as training and fun swimming pools.

It will also introduce professional training through partnerships with international academies for football, squash, swimming and tennis.

“There will be something for everyone. We’ll have walking and running tracks, bars and lounges, areas for kids, and a spacious gym and spa,” added Mr Reda.

Membership fees

To mark its entry, Wadi Degla is offering a 40 per cent discount on membership fees until November 15. The club charges a one-off fee of Sh900,000, with 10 per cent of this amount levied on any other additional members one joins with — for instance, a spouse or child.

“So for a member plus one person — M+1 — it will cost about Sh1 million. But until November 15, it will cost just Sh600,000,” said Reda, adding that the fee can be paid in three instalments, with a deposit locking down the discount. There is, however, an annual maintenance fee of Sh60,000.

Reda added that one’s membership extends to all Wadi Degla sports resorts across the world.

The firm plans to build five clubs around Nairobi, as well as three others in Kisumu, Naivasha and Mombasa.