Kasarani nears completion to host world fiesta
Kenya’s preparations to host the World Under 20 Athletics Championships is at an advanced stage as event’s Technical and Competitions Director Ibrahim Hussein gave it a seal of approval.
“Things are moving really fast because we only have a few weeks before the World Under 20.
On the technical side, the equipment is already in Kenya and we hope they can be cleared as soon as possible so we can evaluate them to see if they are the right implements,” he told People Sport.
Hussein added the committee has managed to overcome the hiccups earlier faced in preparing the technical equipment, including the D-section.
“I have just come from the warm-up area and the D-area, which was giving us a lot of headaches is almost complete.
What is just remaining is the painting. The contractor is also at the javelin runway, on the lower side, where they are laying the synthetic track and then some markings.
So we are happy with the way things are going,” he added. He also announced that the main track at Moi Stadium, Kasarani is basically ready after much work on the same last week.
“The line markings were done last week by Mondo. There’s the training venue at Nyayo; things are moving at a fast pace.
We were lacking a pole vault but the contractor is already working on it. We are going to transport a hammer cage tomorrow to work on its installation to immediately,” he said.
The call room has also undergone slight changes to cater for the introduction of athletes into the pitch during the event.
“You can see there is a tunnel just as you exit the call room. When the athletes enter the pitch from the room, there will be an introduction and these minor adjustments cater for this,” Hussein added.
Visible additions at the 60,000 capacity Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani is the painting of seats which bare the national flag colours and a spaciously done Media tribune.
A tunnel has also been erected right from the call room before you get to the competitions section.
“You see this is a big event which needs excellence in terms of preparations. It will be key to have a huge introduction for an athlete just before they step to the track or field just as it happens at major events,” Hussein told People Sport.
Yesterday during a walk through the stadium competitions area and warm track, Hussein cut a contended figure.
“We have less than 30 days to the big event, so this is not an inspection but rather the normal walk through to assertain that everything going on well,” said Hussein.
The spectator-less event is set for August 17-22 and will bring together thousands of junior athletes from close to 128 member federations of World Athletics.
