People exercising at Nairobi’s Jaffery’s sports club. Photo/Diana Ngila
If there is one thing Ravi Prinja and his wife have never overlooked in the last 15 years of their lives, it is their regular morning and evening walks at Nairobi’s Jaffery’s sports club.
The two have made it a habit to carry out routine exercise at the club every day.
“We come here every day come rain or sunshine and exercise for 45 minutes in the morning and an hour in the evening,” says Mr Prinja holding his umbrella.
Prinja is one in a group of 100 walkers who make it to the club each hour for exercise.
The Nairobi Jaffery’s Sports Club is an exclusive facility open to members of the public who want to keep fit.
The club has no set time limit as to when one should exercise. Cars start driving as early as 5am to as late as 9pm.
The flood lights offer strollers a great opportunity to catch up with their daily routine under the dark clouds.
“People come here for three reasons, to walk, jog and stroll. I have never seen anyone come here for a different motive other than the three,” says Malik, the club manager, as he observes clients walk past his office.
One thing that he finds fascinating, every time he stares out of his office window, is the direction the walkers take when walking round the field.
“The clock rotates clockwise, but these people are doing the opposite, they are always walk in the opposite direction,” he says trying to make sense of the direction the walkers take round the field.
Whichever way they use, Jaffery’s, is a club that has come to be known for walkers and strollers.
In 2009, the club invested in a professional walking track worth $125,000 (aboutSh10m) - spongy path - raising its value to professional standards.
The spongy path cushions one from accidents that may occur during work outs. One can also walk bare foot with minimal risk of injuries or pain.
The club has slowly risen to become an integral part of life for residents of Lavington and the surrounding estates who frequent the place.
The clientele is made up of distinguished members of our society. Including members of parliament and cabinet ministers.
“There is no segregation in this place. Regular walkers even know each one by name just from seeing each other here everyday,” says Prinja who lives in Lavington.
He previously used to walk along the road that runs outside his home but it become insecure because of road accidents and distraction from heavy traffic.
Jaffery’s Sports Club is located in the leafy suburbs of Lavington, next to Jaffery’s Academy. It is a part of 15 acre parcel of land owned by the Jaffery community. Apart from the school, the community also has a mosque.
According to Mukutar, the land was purchased out of the need for Jaffery’s sporting community to have its own cricket and volley pitch.
“This area was later identified as the best place for the mosque and sporting ground. It was a dumping site with black cotton soil, but thanks to the Zarina and Naushad Merali, it was transformed to what it is today,” Mukutar explains.
Since its establishment 15 years ago, the philanthropist couple has continued to extend financial support to the club.
Recently, they saw the setting up of a gym facility. Unlike the walking field which is free, the gym attracts a membership fee of Sh60,000 a year and Sh7,000 a month.
“We are not doing this for business, it’s all in the spirit of charity. The gym was set up with the understanding that part of the money made from it will go towards maintenance of the facility,” states Mukutar.
The Meralis also take care of the staff salaries among other expenses.
The Jaffery’s sports club is an offspring of a small community that once had its mosque standing on Park Road in the Ngara/Pangani area. The community has been in existence from 1978.
Although the management allows anyone to walk in and use their facility, they have certain restrictions to ensure the serenity of the place.
For starters, pets are not allowed in the field. Loud music is a total no-no and alcohol consumption is not welcomed. Skimpy sporty outfits are also not permitted.
As for shoes, sports shoes with grips work are acceptable. However, spiky shoes and heels are discouraged for they can damage the walking surface.
If you are thinking about enrolling in a sports club, then this club may turn out to be the best workout location for the whole family.
If you have reservation about bringing kids along, there is a children’s playing park where they can while their time as you work out your muscles.
Those thinking of a place to play volleyball or cricket with friends or family can lease the field for Sh2,500 for two and a half hours while photo shots for weddings cost Sh5,000.
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