Kenya: Nyayo Stadium almost an “International Stadium”, but one thing
The country’s second largest and one of Nairobi City capital’s oldest, Nyayo National Stadium, is finally beginning to look like an international sports arena we were promised a few years ago, if the images recently released (Courtesy Capital Sports) are anything to go by.
Kudos to the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Amb. Dr. Amina Mohamed, under whose tenure this might just be finally delivered to the anxious local sports followers, most of whom cannot wait to witness their favourite sides play on its surface.
I say this because since its closure for renovation, back in 2017, the country’s sports lovers have been treated to empty promises of its completion to no avail; the commitments started with the then former Sports Cabinet Secretary, Mr Mohamed Wario then came the short stint but full of the same pledges by Mr Rashid Echesa.
Aesthetically, Nyayo now looks different from what it was before these works commenced — However, have an issue with the mini-canopy inside the main stand, even before a physical visit to the stadium to have a feel of the promised new and modern lighting panels, changing rooms, VIP and VVIP lounges, terrace seats, and the playing surface.
My line of work informs my opinion of the renovation works, and this piece, therefore, Is just to ensure that my concerns do not elude the minds of those currently working on the facility — If at all the main reason to make it an international facility capable of hosting FIFA and CAF games or even an IAAF event, complete with a Host Broadcaster’s needs taken care, remains intact.
African Contractors and Facilities Managers have tendency for catering for or impressing VIPs and VVIPs at stadiums, and forgetting other equally important areas that would make that facility tick all boxes.
The playing surface and broadcaster’s needs often fall in the category of the areas neglected during and after execution, thus leading to a lot of make-shift patch-ups to make for the costly structural engineering oversights, a serious step backwards in this era and time, when almost all sports discuplines boast of revenue from quality broadcast feeds as their number one profit earner.
The canopy was never there before. I remember it was introduced during President Kibaki’s times to cater for the national celebrations. The “mutilation” would then remain a permanent eyesore to date. These together with permanent flag posts infront of the main dais, poor lighting and lack of a properly set aside broadcast area and a standby generator are among some of the concerns I have watched drag the Kenyan facilities and broadcast experience behind.
Since the introduction of the “double cover” — (a dais inside another dais), there’s a distinct difference in the quality of games produced at Nyayo during games with it in view as compared to those produced before. The canopy, therefore, remains an impediment to making Nyayo “broadcast friendly”, thus far away from being international.
I have covered quite a number of Live international sports events on the continent, and beyond, and the “New-look Nyayo” could easily beat many facilities, but only if we integrate the proposal to make it broadcast friendly in the grand plan to give it a face-lift.
All these are possible, but we must not compromise on the engagement of broadcast specialists to complement the expertise of the architects and construction experts.
The author is a Kenyan live sports broadcast specialist.
Twitter: @francisngira
Email: francisngira@gmail.com
