The management of Konza City Stadium is warming up to the possibility of the facility hosting competitive matches and national teams’ training sessions in the near future.Constructed last year by Italian company Gruppo ICM, the facility features a standard-sized artificial playing surface but has yet to host competitive matches. Besides the playing surface and modern goalposts, the complex that sits at the heart of the expansive technology hub’s land boasts a six-lane running track among other features. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8519596##Local teams from the vicinity and workers stationed at the City have been using the pitch for recreational purposes, free of charge. However, Jackson Tenik, a Marketing Executive at Konza Technopolis is enticing teams involved in competitive matches to consider using the complex. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8519610##Tenik says the management retains strong interests in low-risk matches being staged at the facility for a start before ushering in high-octane ones later. “We are open to hosting low-risk matches for a start. Teams from the men’s and women’s Premier League are welcome to play their matches here. We would not mind to have NSL matches and other competitions being staged here. We would be grateful to see our national teams train here. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8519600##Corporate and family events can also be accommodated at the facility,” he said. In what would potentially draw teams to consider using the facility, Tenik pledged to impose pocket-friendly charges that are comparatively lower than those of other grounds in the country. CAF to make second inspection visits in Kenya ahead of CHAN tournamentA look at the charges for some of the facilities in the country shows that the Police Sacco Grounds is the most expensive pitch to hire for football matches.Clubs part with Ksh50,000 to use the South C-based ground with Sports Kenya imposing a flat-rate fee of Ksh40,600 for the use of Kasarani and Nyayo stadia.It costs Ksh30,000 to hire Thika and Dandora stadia while teams and organizations normally cough up Ksh40,000 for the use of Utalii Grounds.Struggling former AFC Leopards striker in tears while pleading for financial help [VIDEO]Teams are charged; Ksh29,000, Ksh20,000 and Ksh40,000 for the use of Kasarani Annex, Ruaraka Grounds and the Ulinzi Sports Complex’s football pitch respectively.Complaints rise over safety of Dandora Stadium opened just eight months agoNational football teams pay between Ksh30,000 to Ksh40,000 for a single training session at Nyayo and Kasarani while a fee of Ksh80,000 is imposed for use of Kasarani Stadium’s floodlight.”We will be offering subsidized hiring fees that are much lower than what the rest charge,” he said.In the interest of giving teams value for their money, Tenik disclosed plans to erect decent changing rooms and portable stands for the comfort of the fans.”The missing features will be factored in phase two of the construction. In the meantime, we will do our best to ensure that teams and fans are comfortable at our facility,” he said.Meanwhile, two more mega facilities, each the size of 60,000-seater Kasarani are set to be constructed at the hub later.
