Nandi County hives off part of Kapsabet showground to set up sports facility

Nandi County Governor Stephen Sang. [File, Standard]

The Nandi County administration has allocated a portion of the Kapsabet Agricultural showground land for the construction of a sports facility.

In collaboration with the national government, the county plans to develop a state-of-the-art sports facility on a 25-acre parcel of land identified within the showground.

Once completed, the sports facility aims to identify and nurture diverse sporting talents from a young age, providing a training platform for indoor games such as basketball, volleyball, and high jump.

Governor Stephen Sang (pictured), speaking at the launch of the anti-doping campaign initiative in Kapsabet, said the initiative aligns with the Kenya Kwanza government’s Talanta-hela tournaments. The focus is on empowering youth to engage in professional sporting activities beyond just athletics.

"We cannot focus solely on athletics. Our community harbours diverse talents. The sports facility will offer an ideal training environment for indoor games, enabling youths to develop their talents and participate in international tournaments," he said.

This development follows the county government's handover of the stalled Kipchoge Keino stadium to the national government for renovation. The stadium is among the training facilities slated for revamping in preparation for the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya is set to host.

The Nandi Hills stadium has remained stalled for five years. The construction initially saw some progress, but the contractor abruptly abandoned the site. The county government has neglected to revisit the facility, which has been a significant benefit to the youths residing in the tea estates.

Under Governor Sang's administration, the focus has shifted from the old sports infrastructure, and instead, new projects are underway. One such project is the Eliud Kipchoge Complex, a Sh200 million facility named after the renowned marathoner. It lacks the necessary training facilities and equipment but is serving as the location for the county sports administrative offices.

Governor Sang expressed, "The tendering process will be initiated, and funds will be allocated for implementation. The project is also envisioned to become a sports academy aimed at nurturing young talents."

Sports Ababu Namwamba said the government is investing in sports infrastructure and talents that can bring about economic sustainability to enhance athletes' lives.