Uasin Gishu county government to construct indoor arena in Eldoret

The City of Champions; Eldoret, is making remarkable steps in sports development if the recent development is anything to go by.

The County Government of Uasin Gishu is set to construct an indoor arena in Racecourse, approximately 15 kilometers from Eldoret Town.

In an exclusive with Mozzart Sport after the Eldoret City Volleyball tournament that was played over the weekend, Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Vice President Paul Bitok confirmed the news, noting that it would be a gamechanger for the athletics-rich Eldoret town.

"I would like to thank the County Government of Uasin Gishu. They have identified a place in Racecourse and more than Ksh10 million has been budgeted for the same," the former Malkia Strikers' tactician revealed.

Bitok further pointed out that some of his close associates and friends have expressed a keen interest in contributing to the construction of the arena. They are enthusiastic about partnering with the County Government of Uasin Gishu to make this project a reality, on the condition that it will be named the Paul Bitok Arena, Eldoret.

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"I have a few friends who are willing to help me as a person build the arena, together with the county, but they have given a condition that the arena be named after me. We hope that it will be successful in the coming years so that we can enjoy more volleyball," he disclosed.

According to Bitok, having an indoor arena in the athletics-rich town would attract many international teams from across the world to upcoming volleyball tournaments. This year, the tournament attracted over a century of teams including teams from Uganda.

"I have engaged with the Governor of Uasin Gishu to build us an arena. We have many teams outside Africa who would like to come and participate but because of the conditions that we have here (playing outdoors) restricts these teams from participating. We are in the advanced stages with the county government of Uasin Gishu to have a simple gymnasium here," he pointed out.

Speaking during the launch of the Eldoret City Volleyball tournament on November 17, Uasin Gishu county governor Jonathan Chelilim Bii promised that his administration would oversee the construction of an indoor arena to accelerate the growth of other sports.

"Furthermore, in our efforts to foster sports activities, my administration will oversee the construction of a multi-purpose hall to enable the participants to engage in indoor games like volleyball," the head of the devolved unit said.

He also pledged to hasten the construction of the long overdue Chagaiya High Altitude Training Camp.