Moi stadium to be ready by December 2012

The construction work at the dilapidated Kisimu's Moi Stadium which is part of the FIFA goal project begun on Wednesday and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

World governing body, FIFA has so far sent $ 625, 000 (approximately Ksh.50 million) to Football Kenya Federation, FKF and the tri-partite partnership that also involves the government and the Kisumu Municipal Council is expected to give the stadium a new face equipped with an artificial playing turf, floodlights, stands and a fence.

Nyanza'a National Executive member-NEC Tom Alila said that the government has given out 48 million that will go towards the construction of a perimeter fence and fixing the flood lights while the council has given a ten year renewable lease period to the land the stadium stands.

Apart from the grant FIFA is also providing the technical support like the draw and the design on the stadium.

"The work has begun and it's expected to be complete in six month. we have the design from FIFA," said Alila. Dutch company Greenfield Turf Sports is overseeing the construction that will begin in phases,first up will be the main playing field then the fence and the lights.

Alila also added that the Municipal council will also relocate the dump site which is just outside the stadium

The capacity of the stadium will also be increased from the current 15,000 holding capacity to 20,000 complete with a modern changing room and toilets.

The six month long renovations at the stadium is expected provide an additional option to Kenya Premier league-KPL that will hold some of its matches in the Lakeside City starting next year.

The stadium that is located between Kisumu Day Secondary and Kisumu Polytechnic has been lying idle for a long time with no activities taking place after its perimeter wall, toilets, dressing room and the part of the spectators stand was completely destroyed.

Elvince Joshua

© All rights reserved