Oliech, Tecno To Spear-head Renovation Of Huruma Sports Grounds

_{From Left: Former Harambee Stars forward Dennis Oliech, Kiamaiko Ward MCA Joseph Ndungu and Tecno Marketing Manager Willie Odera during the groundbreaking ceremony at Huruma Sports Grounds. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO}

NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya is set to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations jointly with neighbors Uganda and Tanzania and the Africa premier football showpiece stakeholders are eager to leave a legacy after the tournament.

Part of the heritage that the competition is planning to leave behind are 100 state of the art community football pitches across the continent and Kenya is among the countries ear-marked as beneficiaries.

The Kenyan renovation will be spear-headed by former Harambee Stars striker Dennis ‘the Menace’ Oliech who graced the groundbreaking ceremony for Huruma Sports Grounds renovation in Nairobi this week.

The global innovative technology brand, Tecno, ambassador said the Huruma Sports Grounds refurbishment is so dear to him as that is where he honed his football skills with Pumwani based Sakayonza FC in the MYSA tournaments when he was ten.

“I’m  a testimony of this field, the Mulama brothers Titus and Simon and I are a product of this ground, I’m happy that Tecno and AFCON organisers have entrusted me to be part of this historic renovation. Once complete, this field will realise more talents than in our days,” Oliech told Standard Sports.

The Sh 4 Million refurbishment deal will see the pitch surface leveled and installed a new grass carpet. The seats and walls will be fixed, bleachers enhanced, drainage cleared and  new changing rooms established.

Once completed, the grounds will be able to host hundreds of fans and league matches that will be staged day and night.

” We are very delighted to be overseeing this important renovation project for the youth of Nairobi.  We are committed to completing these works and meeting the highest international standards,” Tecno Brand Manager, Peter Shi explained.

His sentiments were echoed by Tecno Marketing Manager Willie Odera who stated: ” Our aim is to get another Dennis Oliech from here to play in the 2027 AFCON, and we believe this is very possible.”

While hailing the renovation, Huruma Youth FC player Michael Maina said: ” We welcome this good news. This pitch is unplayable during rainy seasons due to poor drainage.”

Lula FC coach Charles Otieno said the refurbishment will save them from fixtures that normally pile up during league games.