By ROBIN TOSKIN
Contractors are expected to move Kisumu Municipal Stadium this Monday after Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and Fifa completed formalities on Wednesday.
Under the terms an artificial turf and upgrading of dressing room will be undertaken to the tune of Sh42 million as part of the Fifa Goal Project programme.
Fifa Development Officer Ashford Mamelodi and FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya signed the paperwork paving way for the third Goal Funded project in Kenya.
Nyanza Nec Representative Tom Onyano Alila welcomed the conclusion of the formalities saying it heralds a new chapter of football in the region.
“It will jumpstart football activities in the region which had been hampered by lack of facilities,” Alila said.
The project is a joint a partnership of Fifa, FKF and Kisumu Municipal Council and will become a second partnership of the kind after the Nairobi City Stadium which also boasts an artificial pitch.
According to Alila, the deal is special because it gives Kisumu City a good facility after internationally approved Moi International Sports Centre at Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium.
“Once completed, we would be able to host international matches in Kisumu,” Alila said of the project expected to be completed in seven months.
Kenya will host this year’s Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in November and FKF Chairman Nyamweya wants Kisumu to host some of the matches.
The Goal Project is administered by Fifa’s Development Committee chaired by Uefa President Michel Plattini with Caf counterpart Issa Hayatou as the Vice-Chair.
It funds associations with special needs towards developing stadiums, and technical centres.
