The construction of a sports academy in Kasarani, Nairobi Kenya is underway and almost complete, with works having reached a 98% completion rate. This came to light when the Nairobi County Development Implementation Coordination Committee (CDICC) team visited the project site to inspect the ongoing works.
The project is reportedly being implemented in phases.
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Phase one
The first phase of the sports academy entails the construction of a seven-storeyed hostel block with 78 self-contained rooms, 399 cubicles, a kitchen, a dining hall, six offices, three classrooms, a computer lab, a boardroom, and 11 washrooms. This phase also includes the construction of a three-star hotel, indoor sports hall, and 35 playgrounds.
Hitherto, a total of five playgrounds, including one rugby pitch, two football pitches, and two basketball courts have been completed. 26 out of the 78 self-contained rooms and 115 out of the 399 cubicles planned for construction at the hostel block have also been completed.
Phase two
According to Dr. Doreen Odhiambo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS), the management is expecting funds for the phase two implementation of the project.
The KAS CEO said that the project will add three boreholes, put a perimeter wall, elevated tanks, field irrigation system, an ablution block, furnishing, and equipment, erect a temporary bridge connecting the academy and playground, and signage in the pitches, which were left out during planning and finishing of the hostel building.
Purpose of the sports academy
Dr. Doreen Odhiambo said that upon completion, the academy will be used to pursue elite sports performance, through talent identification and development, training, and capacity building of technical sports administration personnel as well as promoting research in sports.
The academy’s function will also include establishing and managing sports training academies, collecting, collating, storing, and disseminating tangible and intangible historical sports material to the public, sports organizations, researchers, and institutions of learning.
It will also receive and analyze data on training requirements from sports organizations and link with other institutions and organizations for regular updates on the current sports trends.
