World Athletics officials tour Wote Stadium

World Athletics regional development director Ibrahim Hussein has expressed satisfaction on the level of compliance to the world standards of the ongoing works at the multi-million-shilling Wote Stadium in Makueni.

Ibrahim who toured the facility on Monday alongside Athletics Kenya (AK) officials, urged the Government to build modern facilities that can measure up to international standards.

The three-time Boston Marathon champion tipped the stadium to host athletics international events should the contractor fully comply with the required measurements. However, he advised counties to consult with respective federations before putting up sports facilities in order to get standard measurements of every discipline.

Speaking during the tour, Makueni County Sports Director Ambrose Kisoi was also impressed by the progress saying upon completion, the facility will be a big boost to the county sportspeople.

“We’re happy with the works so far and we hope the contractor will beat the set timelines. It will be a multipurpose facility and I can assure our sportsmen and women that from next year Makueni will be at another level.”

He added: “This will be an ideal place for hosting international events owing to its proximity to Nairobi and it will be a big boost for our county. Also due to the low altitude climate in the area the facility will attract many athletes who will want to train in such a climate.”

Construction of the would-be ultra-modern facility was launched by Deputy President William Ruto in May 2017 but its construction stalled a few months after the last general elections due to non payment of the contractor by the government.

However, the contractor, Mark Muendo, signed a return-to-work agreement with the Ministry of Sports July and undertook to complete remaining works after a further allocation of Sh350 million.

In June, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed said the facility was among 10 stadiums which have stalled across the country and which will be completed by end of this year in line with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directives.