Africa championship organisers fast-track renovation work at Nyayo stadium

After several false starts, work has finally started on the organisation of the 17th Senior Africa Athletics Championship in Nairobi with officials certain they will beat the July 15 deadline.

Renovation work has begun in earnest at the Nyayo National Stadium; the warm up track is being laid and will be ready in ten days.

All the equipment including ordered - the time tronic, huge score board and field event gear have arrived and will be cleared this week to take pressure off the Local Organising Committee (LOC).

Furthermore, the government has extended an additional Sh105 million to bring its contribution towards the event to Sh305 million to let loose preparations and organisation work.

The championship budget stands at Sh400 million, with Safaricom picking the title sponsorship with Sh23.5 million while National bank has chipped in another Sh20 million.

The Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) has also made a Sh20 million donation towards the championship.

"I must thank the government, they have given us another Sh105 million and have issued letters to clear the equipment from the port of entry.

Technicians from Mondo are here and the tartan is here and will take ten days to be laid," said Kiplagat, who is LOC chairman.

Kenya Airways has also partnered with the LOC to serve as the official carrier to fly in all the athletes and officials giving out a 20 per cent discount on its tickets for anyone flying in for the event.

A total of 2,000 athletes and officials are expected to grace the championship, which runs from July 28 to August 1 at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Dick Omondi, Kenya Airways Marketing manager, said Kenya will have no excuse but deliver the gold during the championship, the first of its kind at home.