GEMS School launches artificial standard pitch
National Olympics Committee of Kenya President Kipchoge Keino launches the second privately-owned sports track with an artificial turf at the GEMS Cambridge International School in Nairobi, on November 29, 2014. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Keino was full of praise for the institution’s move to invest in sports, saying that it will be of immense benefit to future generation of athletes.
- The facility’s ultra-modern course features a 400m all-weather track with six lanes that circles a full-sized astro turf field similar to the Nairobi City Stadium pitch.
Kenya’s second privately-owned sports track with an artificial turf was launched at the GEMS Cambridge International School in Nairobi.
The 400m all-weather, ultra-modern sports track, which cost close to Sh10 million, was officially opened on Friday by president of National Olympics Committee of Kenya Kipchoge Keino, two-time IAAF World Champion Edna Kipagat and World 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop.
The Lorna Kiplagat Sports Academy in Rift Valley is the first privately-owned facility with an artificial turf in Kenya.
Kiprop later caused laughter when he did a lap of honour round the new facility ‘to confirm the quality of the track’.
INVESTING IN SPORTS
Keino was full of praise for the institution’s move to invest in sports, saying that it will be of immense benefit to future generation of athletes.
“This is a milestone in the sports industry. Our country prides on sports as is evident in our performance internationally, especially in athletics, and the launch of the first privately-owned field gives me confidence that we will, as a country, maintain our status as the leader in athletics globally,” he said.
The facility’s ultra-modern course features a 400m all-weather track with six lanes that circles a full-sized astro turf field similar to the Nairobi City Stadium pitch.
GEMS CEO Anthony Millward said the grounds will be available for use by the community and sports federations.
