Mombasa County Stadium to be polished off soon

By ERNEST NDUNDA

 The national government is committed to see the second phase of the face-lifting of the Mombasa County Stadium is completed with practicable  framework time.

 Patrick Omutia, the Principal Secretary Sports, Arts and Culture said government’s objective is to see stadium fully refurbished to international standard.

 ‘’The actual cost initial design did not cover the expansion on the field from 440 yard old system to 400 yard as required  internationally,” Omutia said.       

Omutia spoke on Wednesday evening after a fact finding tour of the facility inspected by the Parliamentary Labour and social welfare committee headed by Matungu MP David Were.

The principal secretary said State has elaborate programmes  to expand other area of sports in the country, saying the National government has spent  Sh27 million for the renovation of the Coastal Stadium but initial stage had allocated Sh56 million from estimated figure.

Omutia told committee government has spent Sh27 million on the facility and other balance was to be met by the County government.     

 The Mombasa County Executive in charge of sports Hazel Koitaba told committee her  government had embarked on second phase of renovations at the stadium.

 “Mombasa Stadium has been in a dilapidated situation for over a decade but now is back on its feet and we promise to put up a basketball court, volleyball and netball areas in the second phase initiative,” said the minister.

 She added county government was looking for ways of acquiring a 50 hectare of land in Shanzu to set up a sports complex. 

Webuye MP  Daniel Wanyama lamented the way sports fields are maintained  country-wide and yet Kenya was a sporting nation.

“As a veteran sportsman, I believe the government has not done enough to improve sports facilities,” said the legislator.

He urged county governments to take advantage of devolution system by having vibrant sports ministries to champion for the improvement of sporting facilities at the county level.