State to enhance improvement of sports venues

By GILBERT WANDERA

The Government is working on legal frameworks to make it possible for local authorities to partner with private companies in the rehabilitation of sports facilities.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government Musalia Mudavadi said the regulations will make terms of such partnerships clear and avoid challenges in future.

"We want to avoid a situation like what happened at Nyayo National Stadium, when Coca-Cola signed a deal with the Government, only for the State to pull out," said Mudavadi.

He added: "We want such partnerships to be protected so that no one can just wake up one day and pull out."

Mudavadi was speaking in his office when he launched the new website for the Kenya Table Tennis Association (KTTA).

Partnership launch

The minister said his ministry would also launch a partnership with the private sector to rehabilitate run-down facilities in various towns.

"Our aim is to build modern estates in local authorities, with good facilities so that those who reside there can enjoy using them," he added.

Mudavadi revealed that budgetary allocations and consideration have delayed Nairobi City Council's plans of finishing construction works at City Stadium.

"People who live around the stadium are supposed to move out, but it is a sensitive issue that must be handled with care. We are also waiting for money so that the work can be completed," he revealed.

Fifa, who have laid an artificial turf at the facility, have always complained that the Council is yet to carry out works it was meant to do under their partnership with regard to rehabilitating the sports facility.

Speaking at the same function, KTTA Secretary General Andrew Mudibo admitted that the standards of the sport have gone down over the years and attributed it to lack of sponsors. He said inadequate funding has diluted their competitions, as they are not able to invite international players.

We are reversing this trend and our first stop is partnering with local companies on a long-term basis. We are already seeing the fruits of our efforts as our players do well in regional events," said Mudibo.

He said the new website will also help in making the sport popular and cut down on costs.

"This will be our tool for communicating with the world about what we are doing as an association," added Mudibo. The association is one of the few with a website in the country.

Source: The Standard | Online Edition