The upgrade of the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, Kenya has begun. This is ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) that will take place in the country in 2018.
A team from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will jet in the country for an inspection tour.
The upgrade which will cost a whopping US$ 8m will involve international standards settings; this is according to Sports Kenya boss Fred Muteti and Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua.
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Completion Date
Additionally, the Governor said that it will take a period of three months for the renovation to be complete. It will be a state-of-the –art stadium having modern facilities as well as a tartan athletics track.
CAF expects all facilities to be ready by December, exactly a month to the tournament. It begins on January 12- February 8 next year.
Moreover, the conditions set by CAF, require all the stands to be put down while the changing rooms to be expanded. This will help accommodate four which are a minimum requirement; likewise, the playing surface will be scraped off.
Upgrade of Kenyatta Stadium
Kenyatta Stadium is one of the five stadia being rehabilitated by the government ahead of CHAN. The others are Nyayo, Kasarani, Kinoru in Meru and Kipchonge Keino in Eldoret.
Kenya is walking on a tight rope in as far as hosting the tournament is concerned with CAF seeming worried that work might not be complete in time.
However, speaking last week, Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa remained confident that the commitment he had seen would convince CAF to let the tournament remain in Kenya.
South Africa and Morocco are potentials hosts in the event Kenya fails to complete on time.
