By Gilbert Wandera

The ultra-modern Olympic Plaza was officially launched on Friday night with a plea?to the private sector to take up space as a way of supporting sports in Kenya.

Tysons Limited Managing Director Barth Ragalo revealed that so far, 20 offices out of the 80 that will be available, have been taken up by various companies.

“This is an encouraging scenario, considering that it constitutes 25 per cent of the total office space available,” he said.

Tysons Limited are the marketing agents for the multi-billion Plaza, which will take two years to complete.

Mr Ragalo said on average, an office at the Plaza costs Sh11.5 million with the potential to earn buyers a monthly income of?Sh75,000 in case they decide to rent.

“We are encouraging the private sector, Non-Governmental Organisations as well as individuals to take up offices in this Plaza because it has all the amenities one would need in a modern office,” he said.

Ragalo said ample parking space will be provided for those taking up residence at the Plaza, among other amenities.

The Plaza will be ready for full occupation by 2014 and will enable the National Olympic Committee of? Kenya (Nock) become self-sufficient financially as money raised from sale of office space will be ploughed back into running their activities.

The construction of the Plaza is funded by a consortium of banks and will cost slightly over Sh1 billion.

Commissioner of?Sports, Gordon Olouch, praised Nock for being foresighted in making the decision to construct the Plaza.

“This is an idea whose time has come and, as Government, we hail the foresight shown by Nock in thinking about it,” he said.

Oluoch also asked the private sector to support Nock by taking up offices at the Plaza.?

“This will be their way of showing support for sports in the country,” he said.

Nock chairman Kipchoge Keino said he was glad that the idea to construct the Plaza has finally come to fruition.

“It is something we thought about for a long time, but I am glad that we are here today to see it come through. We ask all Kenyans to support our efforts as we build sports in this country,” he said.

Nock is now among the few sports bodies to invest in real estate. Kenya Motor Sports Federation and Athletics Kenya also have their own buildings from where they operate and earn rents from tenants.

Fifa Goal Project at Kasarani, which should be ready for occupation by the football federation is still mired in controversy with the former officials yet to hand it over.