Kiambu Footballers Want Kirigiti Stadium Opened
By Felix Njenga
Worth Noting:
- “In Kiambu football teams suffer to get a ground to train or even hold games since only one ground is available which is at Kiambu primary school since the next available ground is in Kirigiti stadium which is not available for use in three years now,” Njoroge said.
- He said that even though the stadium is of international standards, there exist a space for the community to use the adjacent ground, which is inside the stadium to hold their games and trainings.
- “There is no other sports utility in my ward apart from the stadium and Riabai primary school grounds which is not big,” he said.
Kiambu football players have called upon the national government ministry of sports to open up the side pitch ground at the Kirigiti International stadium in Kiambu town which was closed three years ago.
Led by Riabai ward MCA Hezron Njoroge who donated football kit, boots, shin guards and balls inconjuction with Kiambu Water and sewerage company to Kirigiti football club players who are in Kenya premier league division 2 said that the stadium is complete and yet it stays closed where football clubs who used to hold trainings and tournaments cannot access and only rely on Kiambu Primary school grounds which teams scramble to use.
“In Kiambu football teams suffer to get a ground to train or even hold games since only one ground is available which is at Kiambu primary school since the next available ground is in Kirigiti stadium which is not available for use in three years now,” Njoroge said.
He said that even though the stadium is of international standards, there exist a space for the community to use the adjacent ground, which is inside the stadium to hold their games and trainings.
“There is no other sports utility in my ward apart from the stadium and Riabai primary school grounds which is not big,” he said.
He said that he has engaged Kiambu County Sports Minister Osman Korar to engage the national government to request for the stadium to be opened up for the community.
He said that Kirigiti F.C which is in division 2 is suffering to prepare for league title due to lack of grounds where they can train.
“Kirigiti F.C is very promising and has hopes to enter Kenya league 1 but their predicament is a training ground as their home ground is Kirigiti Stadium which was closed,” he said.
He said that the community is not happy and wishes that the Kirigiti stadium should not have been constructed to international standards since before it was accessible to everybody as they used to go there for recreation but today it is not accessible.
He called on private institutions and banks in Kiambu through corporate social responsibility to support football teams as a way to boost them and help them stay in the field playing.
He said that he will sponsor a motion in the assembly to compel the county government to be spending part of tax and levies collected through alcoholic beverages in supporting sports.
“It is part of rehabilitation and public awareness where the money collected as tax in alcoholic beverages by the county government be channeled to supporting sports,” he said.
Cate Ben Secretary Kirigiti F.C said that the national government should help Kiambu teams use the adjacent playing field inside Kirigiti stadium so as to enhance sports in the area.
“We have been relying on well-wishers to help our team propel to the next level. By opening of the stadium it will help us get a ground to train and play since the field that we use is being used by five teams and we cannot use it all of us,” she said.
She said that Kirigiti F.C played a full season unbeaten and is optimistic to climb in the major league.
Peter Mwangi a player said that they are grateful of the support being given to their team by their MCA as they are not paid and only play for the love of football.
“We have had challenges as players since we have to use one playing field which is being used by other teams. We are not paid but well-wishers come through for us in paying for medical whenever a player is injured. We have a challenge of travel expenses,” said.
The players called on private companies in Kiambu to support them by sponsoring the teams.
