Eyes on Uhuru's government over stadia

CHAN: It’s make or break for Kenya as CAF delegation assesses country’s preparedness

KFF wants contractors to speed up stadiums ahead of tournament Landscape architect Daniel Cotta (left) examines Kinoru stadium blue print in Meru,on May 3,2017 when he visited the stadium for inspection .Cotta says that the stadium has a lot to be worked on,before the Confederation of African Football (CAF)tournament to be held in Kenya in 2018.Photo Peter Muthomi

Kenya’s chances of hosting the Africa Nations Championships are in the hands of the State as the CAF team begins inspection tours.

Gilbert Wandera

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A powerful delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is in the country starting today for inspection tour of stadia.

The four-day tour will determine the country’s ability to host the 2018 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) tournament.

In the CAF delegation are Second Vice President Omari Seleman and Musa Bility, who chairs the CHAN committee.

According to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa, the inspection tour is a make or break affair for the country.

“We must show that we are ready. This inspection will decide our fate in so far as hosting the tournament is concerned,” he said.

Mwendwa also said the Government should give CAF several guarantees among them financial as well as that the forthcoming elections will not interfere with Kenya’s ability to host the event.

Progress made

He said he was happy with some of the progress made with regard to upgrading infrastructure but pointed out that more still needed to be done.

“There is some good progress at Kinoru Stadium. However, a lot still needs to be done at Kipchoge Stadium. Work also needs to go on in Machakos. In this regard, the CAF team will want to be assured that contractors have been identified and engaged to do the work.”

“I am happy that the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has started meetings and a budget has been set aside.”

The team will visit Eldoret this morning before moving to Meru on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they will inspect Nyayo and Kasarani before concluding in Machakos on Thursday.

Also under scrutiny will be the government’s readiness and commitment to host the tournament. Recently, President Uhuru Kenyatta gave assurances of Kenya’s commitment to the event.

And in April, CAF President Ahmad Ahmad had assured that Kenya would host next year’s Africa Nations Championships (CHAN).

“From our side, it is only the Kenyan government that can say they do not want to host the tournament. It remains Kenya’s to host to the end,” he said at the time.

He urged the government to support FKF to ensure that the tournament goes smoothly in January.

“The FKF President is doing his best to ensure that the tournament is held successfully. He needs the support of the State in every way.”