Ruto, Motsepe to attend CHAN draw on Wednesday
Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum (centre) addresses a press conference alongside CAF Head of Safety and Security Dr Christian Emeruwa (left) and 2024 CHAN LOC chairman Nicholas Musonye at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on January 14, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Football Kenya Federation Vice President MacDonald Mariga will join Tanzanian all-time top scorer Mrisho Ngasa and Ugandan football stalwart Hassan Wasswah in conducting the draw.
Kenyan President William Ruto and Confederation of African Football (CAF) boss Patrice Motsepe are among the dignitaries expected for the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) draw on Wednesday night at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
Nineteen teams will be drawn at the ceremony, which kicks off at 8pm. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will co-host the biennial championship, scheduled to run from February 1-28.
On Tuesday, Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum, CHAN Local Organising Committee Chair Nicholas Musonye, and CAF Head of Security Christian Emerua assured the public that all preparations for the draw were in place.
Tum inspected KICC and convened with security officials ahead of the event.
“I have spoken to the sports ministers from Tanzania and Uganda, and they will be here this afternoon with their teams. We have inspected everything, and I can say we are prepared to host the draw,” said Tum, speaking on behalf of Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya.
“This is an important, key, and historical event that the country is hosting, and we must ensure everything goes right,” he added.
Emerua emphasised the importance of robust security measures, citing extensive preparations and collaboration with Kenyan authorities.
“The meetings have been serious, and the police service and other security agencies have really supported and cooperated with us. We advise people that access to this place will only be by invitation, and without that, you should not come to KICC tomorrow,” he said.
“If your vehicles don’t have passes, then you shouldn’t come to KICC,” Emerua added.
Musonye confirmed that arrangements for the event comply with CAF standards, noting that the draw will mark the official start of CHAN in East Africa.
“This will be a benchmark for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, and its success will show that we will also be ready to host the whole continent in two years’ time. As Kenya, we have to promote this competition and show the world we are always ready for success in continental matches,” he stated.
Football Kenya Federation Vice President MacDonald Mariga will join Tanzanian all-time top scorer Mrisho Ngasa and Ugandan football stalwart Hassan Wasswah in conducting the draw.
