Gusii Stadium to get facelift via Chinese contractors, says Arati
After Football Kenya Federation (FKF) threatened to lock out Shabana FC from using Gusii Stadium for home matches during the new Premier League campaign - owing to the poor state of the pitch - Kisii Governor Simba Arati has assured that proper work will be done to improve the same before the season kicks off.
The Kisii-based Glamour Boys made a dramatic return to the top flight after winning the National Super League (NSL) with 73 points, five more than second-placed Murang’a Seal FC. In doing so, Shabana ended a 17-year wait without top-flight action in the region.
After beating Kisumu All Stars 2-0 in their final fixture of the season at Gusii Stadium, FKF through President Nick Mwendwa warned Tore Bobe they could be forced to use either Awendo Green Stadium or William Ole Ntimama Stadium for their home matches when the season starts in August because of the poor standards at the venue.
However, Arati has allayed the fears by stating apart from getting the team a new sponsor worth more than Ksh20million, a developer from China is scheduled to visit Kenya in particular the Kisii region soon, to discuss modalities of refurbishing the venue and give it a new face-lift.
“As earlier promised, the sponsor I had sourced for Shabana has just committed to enhancing his sponsorship upwards from the initial Ksh.20 million, besides beefing up the facilities at the stadium to boost training and team morale,” said Arati, adding: “The sponsor is set to jet in from China soonest to work out modalities of engagement.”
Arati continued: “And as part of my agenda in upholding talent development in the county, we are set to give the Gusii Stadium a face-lift to continue hosting soccer and other sports events besides embarking on talent scouting and nurturing to build a sustainable reserve for the best players to feed our local teams.”
Arati further took his time to congratulate Shabana for earning a promotion, insisting the fete had earned the Kisii community proud moments that will be cherished for many years to come.
