By James Bakama

NATIONAL Council of Sports is to undergo a sh700m refurbishment that will bring forth more office space. An incomplete VIP stand in the MTN Arena will also be finalized.

“We want to bring modern standards befitting of the country’s sports headquarters,” reads an NCS performance report for the period July 2012 to January 2013.

The report issued by NCS chairman Bosco Onyik says the renovation starts next month. NCS has acquired a soft loan for the project. Repayment will be over two years from internally generated funds from businesses like hall and field hiring.

Charles Egou, who heads the NCS General Purpose Committee , explained that additional offices will be created on the head quarter’s top floor. The offices will be extended to the balcony which has been hosting NCS and federation meetings plus chess events.

“There will also be a library cum museum where sports information and historical products will be kept,” revealed Egou. The extension will put in place a boardroom together with offices for a stadium manager, auditor and a workplace for federations.

General Secretary Jasper Aligawesa said structural engineers have already given a go ahead to the refurbishment that will also have the headquarters re-roofed.

Oasis Restaurant that is found on the ground floor will commence its own renovations next week. The restaurant’s management contract was recently renewed.

The headquarters at the heart of what was then East Africa’s biggest sports complex were built British colonial government in 1950s.

Among the achievements listed in the performance report, is staff restructuring. This has started with identification of a consultancy firm. NCS on its part has started staff appraisals.

After the consultant’s report qualified staff will be put on contracts. Gratuities will thereafter be paid in phases. This process starts this year.

Meanwhile NCS now has a functional website that can be accessed via www.ncs.ug.