ISK Investing $30Million Capital To Extend State Of Art Facilities For Olympic Athletes

By Anthony Aisi

In 2011, The International School of Kenya announced a $30 million capital investment to extend their state-of-the-art facilities to ensure a world-class international school in Africa. With the expansion, ISK would become a magnet that would attract the world’s top diplomats, CEOs and academics to the country. One part of this expansion is the building of an Olympic-standard track and field facility, which was scheduled for completion towards the end of this decade. However, with such overwhelming demand, ISK has recognized the need to proceed with the construction of the track in 2013, with the funding for the project coming from a concentrated fundraising effort.

Over the past number of years, ISK has produced numerous elite athletes, several of whom have gone on to receive scholarships and play on university teams in the US and in the UK. A facility of this calibre would provide the best opportunities for our school’s high performing student athletes to showcase their talents. The new track and field would also enable ISK to host international sports tournaments such as ISSEA and AISK school competitions. Additionally, ISK’s vision is to give Kenyan Olympic athletes access to the track for training.

The projected cost for the total project, including the track, covered spectator stands, storage, scoreboards and associated equipment for the various sporting events, construction costs, is an estimated $1.5M. The plan is to cover the cost of this project using both financial and in-kind donations, for which donors will receive naming or branding opportunities.

To kick-off fundraising for the new facility, ISK hosted their first annual Track and Field Gala on September 21, 2012. Unlike most formal galas, guests adorned athletic gear as they partook in a night of fun and games. Guests bid on auctioned items, enjoyed cocktails and bitings, while mingling with some of Kenya’s top athletes, including Pamela Jelimo, Douglas Wakihuri, Noah Ngeny, and Edith Masai.