Postponement of CHAN 2024 a saving grace for Kenya

With the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirming the postponement of the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) to August, 2025, there would be some sort of relief on the part of the hosts, especially Kenya, which has been racing against time to be ready to host the tournament next month. But are there opportunities lost?
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania as co-hosts will now have a chance to tidy up the loose ends. The CAF Technical & Infrastructure experts, who have been based in the region, advised the tournament organisers of need to ensure proper and conclusive preparedness before the Championships begin.
Kenya, for instance, under the new Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya will now take time to fine-tune stadia preparedness while service providers will now also work on getting their products and wares in place.
There was increased worries that Nairobi was not sufficiently ready for the continental showpiece but the six month window has now opened a window for better certainty even as anxious onlookers await the draw to be done tonight at 8 pm in Nairobi’s KICC.
CS Mvurya in a recent address to the media stated of the economic impact of the country hosting the second largest nations’ tournament in the continent.
“This event will bring immense tourism and economic benefits. Fans from across the globe will travel here, boosting our economy and putting Kenya on the world stage. We anticipate 20,000 visitors into the country so the country will get a major boost,” he said.
He added; “There are more profits to be reaped from this event. Our youth will gain exposure and potentially secure opportunities to play in foreign countries, exporting Kenyan talent to the world. We are capable of hosting an event of this nature so there should be no reasons for worry. Everything will be under control.”
Criticism over slow progress is evident with Kenyans who have questioned the capability of Nairobi to host a successful event. Indeed, there have been concerns over the issue of marketing and tendering processes. Based on history and how CHAN was snatched from Kenya in the year 2018, there is still a lot of uncertainty which Government is attempting to address.
However, CAF President Patrice Motsepe said: “I am impressed with the ongoing construction and renovations of the football infrastructure and facilities in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. I am confident that the stadiums, training fields, hotels, hospitals and other infrastructure and facilities will be at the requisite CAF standards for hosting, in August 2025, a very successful TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (“CHAN”) Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, 2024”.
Motsepe visited the country twice during which he received assurances from President William Ruto that Kenya will be ready for CHAN, which is a rehearsal to East Africa also hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. It, however, appears that under Motsepe, CAF is more accommodative that it was under Issa Hayatou when the country also lost a chance to host the Cup of Nations.
After the postponement, Dr Motsepe said: “I would like to express my deep gratitude to President William Ruto of Kenya, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda for their leadership, commitment and the good progress that has been made in building and upgrading the stadiums, training fields, hotels, hospitals and other infrastructure and facilities in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda for hosting a successful TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (“CHAN”) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda 2024.”
Another critical aspect that will worry CAF and the CHAN organising committee are the concerns around adequate security for fans, visitors, officials, players and organisers.
Kenya has had challenges with security in certain huge events in the past and it could be an eye opener for authorities to seek solutions even with the tournament pushed ahead.
The postponement now gives the government a last chance to tighten up things and truly show it is serious about hosting major international games.