Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed the areas that are being worked on first at Kasarani Stadium to get it ready for 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN).
Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed the areas that will be given priority at Kasarani Stadium to ensure it is ready to host the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN).
Kenya will co-host the 2024 tournament alongside neighbours Uganda and Tanzania but the country’s preparations are behind schedule especially on stadia.
This is because renovation work at Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums, the two facilities earmarked to host the tournament, is behind schedule, yet they are supposed to be delivered to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) by December 31 for the event that will kick off on February 1.
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Mohammed's first task will be to ensure Kenya meets the threshold needed to be ready to co-host the 2024 CHAN next February, with the deadline by CAF set at December 31st.
“It’s true, we have a lot of work to do and that is why this LOC has a very huge responsibility,” Murkomen told Telecomasia.
“Even if it means working night and day, we have to meet the obligations that have been set. What we are going to do, especially with Kasarani, is that we will complete the crucial aspects of the facility like the playing surface, dressing room and stands.
“There are other aspects of the stadium, part of the recommendations by CAF, that we might not finish now and do them later, but we can get alternatives, for example sound. We have had meetings with the contractors and we have agreed that all of us are going to give a push for this thing to happen.”
The CS admits Kenya is under pressure from CAF to deliver the facilities on time amid recent reports that Rwanda is waiting in the wings to take over if they are not ready.
“I want to assure CAF, and I want to assure Kenyans, that we will be ready to host CHAN. We are putting everything in place, we are burning the midnight oil and mobilising all resources to ensure that we host CHAN next year. The government is committed to ensuring that this happens,” he added.
“I want to truly appreciate the positive support that we are receiving from CAF president (Patrice) Motsepe and his personal attention to Kenya. He is pushing us and assisting us to ensure that we host CHAN.
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“I want to thank CAF for the effort and even sending a permanent representative here to stay with us and guide us. He is on our neck everyday, pushing us and trying to ensure that we will be ready.”
Murkomen recently constituted a 36-member multi agency team to oversee Kenya’s preparations for both CHAN 2024 and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and even though they are starting late, he has faith that they will deliver on their mandate.
The CS’s assurance comes hours before CAF president Patrice Motsepe begins his three-day tour of East Africa to assess the progress on preparations in the region.
Motsepe will make his first stop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Thursday December 19 before travelling to Nairobi the following day after which he will tour Kampala, Uganda.
“The schedule of activities and meetings includes visits to the stadiums and training sites that are currently undergoing renovations ahead of next year’s competition,” reads a communique on the CAF website over Motsepe’s visit.
“Dr Motsepe’s visit comes on the back of the second inspection tour of the three host nations conducted by a CAF delegation in November where the various stadiums, training sites, hotels, airports and other facilities were inspected.”
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