Mvurya insists Kenya is ready to host CHAN
Cabinet Secretary Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya flanked by his permanent Secretary Peter Tum (right) and Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed address a media conference on on January 12, 2025 at Kenya International Conventional Centre.
What you need to know:
- The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that the country aims to capitalize on the tournament to market Kenya as a top tourism destination, an economic powerhouse ripe for investment, and to offer exposure for local youth in terms of talent development.
- “CHAN will elevate our football standards in terms of talent identification and growth. The whole world will know more about Kenya in terms of tourism, and this is a great opportunity for our country to make significant strides in various sectors,” Mvurya said. Tanzania will use the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium while Uganda will host games at Namboole Stadium in Kampala.
Despite Kenya lagging behind in terms of infrastructural development compared to its neighbours, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya remained confident on Sunday that Kenya will still co-host the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) next month.
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are set to co-host the continental showpiece from February 1 to 28. CHAN is a tournament where only locally-based players participate. The draw for the 19 teams will take place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) at 8 pm on Wednesday.
Mvurya, upbeat and confident, echoed the sentiments of his predecessor Kipchumba Murkomen (now Interior CS), asserting that Kenya’s 60,000-capacity Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani and the 30,000-capacity Nyayo National Stadium are ready to host the competition.
This is despite the fact that MISC Kasarani is visibly behind in its preparations, with construction on some sections still incomplete. As for Nyayo Stadium, only the dressing rooms and the grass have been revamped, alongside additional lighting, bringing the stadium to nearly 80% completion.
“We had a CAF representative, including its president, here, and they showed confidence in our preparation. If you see that even the draw is being done here, it shows that our preparations have been top-notch, and we are ready to host the tournament,” said Mvurya.
He was speaking at KICC during a press briefing on the tournament’s preparations, flanked by Local Organising Committee Chairman Nicholas Musonye and Football Kenya Federation President Hussein Mohamed on Sunday.
“I have visited Nyayo and MISC Kasarani, and I’m convinced we are good to go. There is no doubt about one stadium being left out, but all the venues initially earmarked will be used for the tournament,” added Mvurya.
With football fans already speculating on social media that Kenya will host the opening ceremony, the opening fixture, and even the final, Mvurya said the decision rests with CAF and will be clarified after Wednesday's draw.
“All the logistics will be looked at, and by Wednesday, apart from the groupings, we will know where each group will play and where the finals will be held. Discussions are also ongoing about whether fans will attend the games for free or if they will be required to pay,” said Mvurya.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that the country aims to capitalize on the tournament to market Kenya as a top tourism destination, an economic powerhouse ripe for investment, and to offer exposure for local youth in terms of talent development.
“CHAN will elevate our football standards in terms of talent identification and growth. The whole world will know more about Kenya in terms of tourism, and this is a great opportunity for our country to make significant strides in various sectors,” Mvurya said. Tanzania will use the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium while Uganda will host games at Namboole Stadium in Kampala.
