Kasarani ready to host WU20, assures DG Metto

The Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani is ready to host the World Under-20 event set to kick off on August 17-22.

Sports Kenya Director General Pius Metto said the renovations at Kenya’s largest stadium are complete, with under two weeks to the start of the event.

Metto said the stadium has been classified as a Class 1 facility by the World Athletics giving it the green light to host the global event that will be held in Africa for the first time.

“We have been able to undertake refurbishment in and out of the stadium in readiness for the World Under-20 and at the moment I think we are ready to go,” said Metto.

Among the key refurbishments undertaken at the facility include the rebranding of seats with the national colours as well as the installation of WI-FI in key areas of the stadium.

Metto also explained that they have also put up a fully- equipped gym alongside installing CCTV cameras within the 60,000-seater facility.

“I want to assure all the participants that the facility has been uplifted to the international standards and has been approved by the World Athletics. We have done everything to ensure athletes enjoy every moment at our facilities,” said Metto.

At the same time, Metto said the Nyayo Stadium which will be used as a training area has been certified as a class 2 facility.

Similarly, Metto disclosed that refurbishment which is currently ongoing at the Stadion Hotel is meant to upgrade the facility to attain four-star standards.

The Ministry of Sports has already banned fans from accessing the stadium during the event owing to threats posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

More than 128 countries have already been confirmed for the week-long event.