Athletics Kenya (AK) is using the ongoing renovations at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a strategic opportunity to address the stadium’s shortcomings and prepare it for the 2029 World Athletics Championships.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe move is aimed at avoiding duplication of work and costs by ensuring that upgrades being undertaken for AFCON 2027 also meet the more demanding technical requirements of World Athletics.World Athletics awarded Nairobi the hosting rights for the 2029 World Athletics Championships, marking a historic moment for Kenya and Africa. The championships will feature 49 track and field events and bring thousands of athletes, officials and fans to the country.But Kenya’s successful bid was built partly on lessons learned from its unsuccessful attempt to host the 2025 World Championships.##NAJAVA_MECA_10011836##During the 2025 bidding process, an evaluation of Kenya’s bid identified Kasarani’s technical specifications as one of the major weaknesses. While supporting infrastructure such as roads, hotels and accommodation was considered adequate, the stadium itself fell short of the standards required by World Athletics.Athletics Kenya Director of Youth Development Barnaba Korir said the failed bid provided valuable lessons on the areas Kenya needed to improve.“It was a learning process because the team that came from World Athletics worked with us and also got to know the areas that required upgrading or the areas that needed to be constructed. Collen Kebinatshipi reveals next target after dominant seasonIt was basically that what we received was that Kasarani Stadium could not meet the international standards,” Korir told NTV’s Sport On.Korir explained that the shortcomings were largely concentrated around the stadium rather than the wider infrastructure required to host a global championship.“When it came to the infrastructure, like accommodation, highways, the roads, and many other factors that go into the preparation, it was okay, except that the international stadium did not meet the standards,” he said.The lessons from that process became a key part of Kenya’s renewed bid for the 2029 championships.##NAJAVA_MECA_10011835##According to Korir, the feedback received from the World Athletics evaluation team gave Kenya a clearer understanding of what needed to be done before making another attempt to host the global showpiece.“We picked a few points, and that's what we actually used to make sure that we won, and then added the other aspects of the bid,” he said.Kenya’s preparation for the 2029 championships has now been given an added boost by the country’s co-hosting of AFCON 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania.Kasarani is among the facilities undergoing extensive upgrades ahead of the continental football tournament. For Athletics Kenya, the construction works provide an opportunity to address some of the requirements for the 2029 World Championships at the same time.Cheboi aiming to spark past memories in Toronto marathon returnThe focus is particularly on the track and associated athletics facilities.“Kenya is going to host AFCON next year. And the stadium also, I'm sure you are aware, is one of many other areas that are also being upgraded for AFCON. Our main focus is on the track,” Korir said.A major component of the planned athletics upgrade is the installation of a world-class Mondo synthetic track, together with other facilities required to bring Kasarani up to World Athletics standards.Rather than waiting until after AFCON 2027 to begin work on athletics-specific requirements, Athletics Kenya has moved to engage World Athletics during the current construction phase.##NAJAVA_MECA_10011837##Korir said this will help ensure that work being undertaken now meets the requirements for the 2029 championships and eliminates the need for expensive modifications later.“Because of the changes happening now in Kasarani to meet the requirements for AFCON, World Athletics should have come and looked at the areas they might need for 2029. So it reduces the cost that will be incurred if nothing is done now,” he said.That thinking prompted Athletics Kenya to invite World Athletics technical officials to inspect Kasarani while the renovations are still ongoing.The inspection is intended to allow World Athletics to identify any additional requirements that can be incorporated into the ongoing construction.Kenyan veteran breaks World Record in SpainThe delegation included World Athletics Head of Competition Management Pierce O’Callaghan, while Athletics Kenya officials were led by President Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Jackson Tuwei.For Kenya, the timing is crucial.Making the required changes while the contractor is already on site means the country can potentially avoid the cost and logistical complications of dismantling or modifying infrastructure after AFCON 2027.State Department for Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi said the government is confident that Kenya has both the resources and infrastructure capacity to deliver the 2029 championships.##NAJAVA_MECA_10012302##“The message that you should take is that we are prepared to host the World Athletics Championship in the year 2029. And we have the resources to do it. In matters of infrastructure, I believe we can go through what we are doing,” Mwangi said.He also highlighted the importance of using the current AFCON construction programme to meet the requirements of both events.“At the Moi International Sports Stadium, Kasarani, you saw that we are undertaking renovation for the sole purpose of hosting the world, and of course, the AFCON 2027,” he said.Mwangi added that the ongoing works provide a rare opportunity to have the current contractor undertake additional construction that could be required for the World Championships.Jepkosgei sets course record as Kenya secures double victory in Cardiff Half Marathon“It is a good time for us because, with the specifications that are expected of us for hosting the World Championships, we can have the current contractor undertake the construction that may be expected to be compared with the standards for World Athletics,” he said.While Kasarani remains the centrepiece of Kenya’s preparations, attention is also being directed towards training facilities.Mwangi identified Nyayo Stadium as a potential venue where additional improvements could be made to ensure it complies with World Athletics requirements.“Equally, for the training grounds, if you wish that we do anything, I hope you have identified the Nyayo Stadium. So, whatever needs to comply with the requirements of World Athletics, we should also do it,” he said.