Vihiga United, Queens set for modern stadium

Vihiga County will have a modern stadium up to the standards of FIFA by the end of the year, Governor Moses Akaranga has promised.

The stadium, among other activities, will serve as host venue for teams in the region currently plying in top leagues across the country.

A vibrant sporting hub, the county is home to National Super League (NSL) side Vihiga United and Vihiga Queens who play in the top flight Women Premier League.

Rolling out the plan, Akaranga also revealed their target is to see Vihiga United earn promotion to the Kenyan Premier League at the close of this season’s second-tier NSL campaign after missing out by just one place last term.

“As county we have Kindundu which is good stadium, but does not meet the FIFA standards. We are in the process of buying extra land surrounding the stadium and which cost around Ksh20m.

“After that we will put up a FIFA Standard stadium which should be ready by the end of the year 2017,” the County boss said.

According to Akaranga, presence of vast sporting talent in the county compels his leadership to invest various disciplines that directly touch on the youth.

“We decided to give what we can directly to the youth, and it’s not about Vihiga United and Vihiga Queens only. We have basketball team, rugby team, cricket and we are on the verge of starting a chess team.

“We have a budget of around Ksh40m passed by the County Assembly for the team (Vihiga United) per annum. There is no way leaders will always say they have agenda for the youth without getting practical. Basically, we are committed to give the youth what they want,” Akaranga emphasised.