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What Kenya needs to do to host 2018 chan


By DAVID KWALIMWA

The Government requires three state of the art stadiums outside Nairobi, to stand a chance of hosting a successful Africa Nations Championship (Chan) event in 2018.

The country must also have the capacity to host an estimated 500 guests in five star hotels for the duration of the tournament. Two chartered flights must also be on standby to ferry teams from one venue to another.

This is according to the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) Secretary General, Nicholas Musonye.

“This competition is not a small thing. From what I am seeing here (in Rwanda), good money is required so commitment from the top leadership in Kenya is vital. The Government must also consult Fifa and Caf on the specifications to include offices, medical rooms, media centre, mixed zones and other requirements. Nyayo Stadium and Kasarani must also be renovated,” Musonye said.

Musonye, a veteran football administrator spoke to Nairobi News on Thursday from Kigali where the 2016 edition of Chan begins this weekend.

HOSTING RIGHTS

Musonye is one of the two Kenyan football administrators offering technical expertise at the tournament. The other, Football Kenya Federation Deputy President Robert Asembo is part of the Appeals Board that will handle all disputes and appeals arising on the pitch during the three week tournament.

Musonye’s duties in Rwanda as the general coordinator entail inspecting match venues, training grounds, hotels, transport vehicles and handling other logistical challenges that may face the 16 national teams taking part in the competition in Rwanda.

Kenya has been awarded the hosting rights for the next edition of the tournament in 2018, although the Government is yet to commence any meaningful preparations for the event.

The tournament is a preserve of national football teams whose players feature in their respective local leagues.

The refurbished 30,000 seater Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, the Stade Regional Nyamirambi (22,000 seater), also located in the country’s capital, Stade Huye (20,000 seater) in Butrare and the 5,000 seater Umuganda Stadium in Kisenyi are the venues for this year’s tournament.

Harambee Stars failed to qualify for the tournament after losing to Ethiopia in the qualification matches in July last year.