Thank you Moi for Kasarani, Nyayo and many more

Sports family in Kenya has singled out countries’ giant sporting infrastructure as former President Moi’s eternal legacies in the sector.

Although there are stadia across the country named after the man whose presidency spanned for 24 years, the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium which were constructed during Moi’s tenure, standout having hosted all major events in the country.

Poignantly, it is not only sports that Nyayo and Kasarani have hosted, but political events ranging from national celebrations to presidential inaugurations.

Athletics Kenya (AK) president Rtd. Lt. Gen. Jackson Tuwei has mourned the late Moi as a man whose support for sports was ever pragmatic.

Very sad indeed, he was a   great leader who loved sports. He practically   showed by supporting   the   construction   and   development   of   sports   facilities   which   are   our   landmarks   today. We shall miss him and   ask   the   Almighty God to rest his soul in eternal   peace,” said Tuwei.

In a statement, AK family also underlined Moi’s contribution to the sport with policies that remain effective to date.

It was the former President who ordered universities to affiliate to Athletics Kenya in a bid to improve their fitness levels and despite being part of AK, we would like to challenge them to take it a notch higher in honour of Mzee Moi.

In his memory, we would like to request the current government to initiate infrastructure projects and complete the ones that are already under refurbishment to ensure our budding athletes and sportsmen have facilities to hone their talent.

“It was the former President who ordered universities to affiliate to Athletics Kenya in a bid to improve their fitness levels and despite being part of AK, we would like to challenge them to take it a notch higher in honour of Mzee Moi.

“In his memory, we would like to request the current government to initiate infrastructure projects and complete the ones that are already under refurbishment to ensure our budding athletes and sportsmen have facilities to hone their talent,” read part of the statement.

The national Olympics Committee of  Kenya (NOC-K) joined the sports family recalling Moi as a ”true supporter of sports and the Olympic movement.”

“The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) joins His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta and Kenyans in mourning the passing on of the Republic of Kenya’s retired Second President, His Excellency Daniel Toroitich arap Moi. Mzee Moi was a true supporter of sports and of the Olympic movement, and was always on the forefront in supporting our teams to the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and other international competitions, right from our nation’s independence in 1963, and all through his Presidency from 1978 to 2002.

“Kenya’s successful hosting of the Fourth All-Africa Games in 1987 was thanks to Mzee Moi’s personal initiatives and the construction of the Nyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani – which remain Kenya’s only international standard stadiums – form a huge part of his legacy,” read part of NOC-K’s statement.

Notably, Mzee Moi himself played football with the Parliamentary side, Bunge FC, in 1960s alongside Cabinet colleagues Tom Mboya, Bruce McKenzie and Robert Ouko, among others.

And, with Kenya’s journey to this year’s Olympics journey to Tokyo already on, NOC-K wants an exemplary performance in honour of the fallen former President.

“This being an Olympic year, NOC-K will work hard to pay a fitting tribute to Mzee Moi’s contribution to the development of our sport by making sure our teams are prepared adequately and perform exceptionally well at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in July and August.”

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa paid tribute to Moi’s for his distinguished sports works, calling upon today’s authorities to do more in improving sports infrastructure.

We are saddened by the news of his passing as we know  during his time he used to attend matches ,whereby we used to have the  presidents cup as well.

“It’s a loss for  football  because when we were  young we used to see him attend matches,  like Gor Mahia advancing in the 1987 African Cup. We have Kasarani and Nyayo which were built by him, and they have remained the best pitches we have for football internationally.

“He did well we are happy with the two we just hope to have more pitches apart from the two he built a long time ago. We are happy with the work he did. The government should continue with the good work that he did and the leadership that he brought,” averred Mwendwa.

Report by Philip Muchiri, Harold Otieno and Amaria Chege.

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nyayo stadium Moi Sports Centre Kasarani moidead Tuwei

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