NOC-K set to construct a Ksh 39M Olympic hub in Nairobi

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) is set to construct a multipurpose OlympAfrica youth sports center in Nairobi after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the County Government of Nairobi. The state of the art sports complex that will be built in Muhuri Muchiri grounds, in Ruai, Kasarani constituency will comprise of a multi-purpose indoor gymnasium for sports, an international 400M standard running track, a football field, restaurant, volleyball, basketball, handball, tennis courts and a swimming pool complex. The facility will also have hostels for the athletes and a health center.

The pact between the two parties was signed at the county headquarters in the capital after the County Government of Nairobi gave NOC-K a piece of land in Ruai free of charge for the development of the youth center. Ag. Nairobi County Governor Ann Kananu and NOC-K President Dr. Paul Tergat graced the event witnessed by Olympafrica Director of Programs, Yaye Ndiate.

The Centre in Kenya will work as a partnership; OlympAfrica will provide seed funding, Olympics Kenya and sponsors will fund the daily operation costs, the County Government will provide land – serviced with water, electricity and connection to urban networks and the local community will be in charge of its management and support the implementation.

“I look forward to giving you my full support in my capacity in order to make our collaboration fruitful. I will ensure that you receive all the necessary support from our collaborating partner the Nairobi Metropolitan Services who will work around improving the road network leading to the stadium to ensure easy access. I will also ensure my officers offer any other liaison with the key stakeholders. Partnerships between institutions, like friendships between individuals, are built on shared values and there can be no doubt that we share these important values,” Anne said.

“It is my hope that the next time we are here again, and I insist this year, will be to sign more MoUs to build sixteen more such facilities in the remaining counties within Nairobi City County,” the acting governor concluded.

Tergat expressed his joy after signing the deal that will see youths in the country benefit from such a project.

“It is exciting to have such a center built in Nairobi in partnership with the Governor’s office and Nairobi County. Sports has changed and can change lives. We need basic infrastructure within the place so that we can be able to move in so that these facilities can be able to be utilized as soon as possible,” he said.

"We are very happy to extend our networks in Nairobi, as there are countries which have benefited from such programs already,” the OlympAfrica director of programs, Yaye Ndiate, said.

To date, no African country has managed to host the Olympic games and this project is a step in the right direction for the country.