The ongoing renovation of Acunet Malaba Staium will include a standard track for athletics, Busia County Executive Committee Member for Sports, Culture, Gender and Tourism Olunga Paul Ekwenye revealed on Wednesday.

Speaking during a media briefing for the second edition of the Teso North Pre-trial Chepsaita Marathon at Hotel Levantes in Amagoro, Olunga said the face-lift will raise the track to a an Athletics Kenya meeting.

” Busia Stadium is not hosting athletics meets due to lack of a water jump for steeplechase. We shall make Malaba Stadium have a water jump,” the CECM said.

Olunga also revealed that the national government will avail Ksh700million for the construction of a modern stadium in Busia, which will pave the way for the hosting of international matches.

” That would mean the department of sports will continue improving Malaba Stadium to raise it to required standards,” Olunga noted.

Olunga said the second edition of the Governor’s Cup 2025 will be well structured compared to the first edition, noting that it would be played from Ward, Sub-County, and County levels.

He also noted that the winners of the first edition in the men’s category received Ksh500,000, adding that the winners in this year’s edition will pocket Ksh1million.

” The winners in the ladies’ category will receive Ksh500,00, up from Ksh250,000 in the first edition.

Olunga added: ” We are also contemplating introducing other disciplines like volleyball and short races to motivate more youths.”

The county executive also has good news to sports fraternity when he revealed that a draft sports policy will be tabled soon, noting that the governor set aside funds in the FY 2024-2025 to develop it.

” The draft document is awaiting my approval before it goes to the cabinet,” he said, noting that the document would open doors for funding of sports in the county.

” The youth policy will be presented to the cabinet next week to alleviate the challenges of our youth engaging so much on drugs,” he said.

On dopping the CECM, which is tarnishing the image of sports in the country, has to some extent been managed in Busia, thanks to the intervention of NACADA and anti-dopping agency through frequent visits