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The Nairobian

CHAN PREPARATION ON TRACK- Ruto: Deputy President assures Hayatou Kenya will be ready to host the championship

Football

By Gilbert Wandera | Aug 27, 2016

Deputy President William Ruto has assured CAF President Issa Hayatou that the country will be ready to host the 2018 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN).

Ruto made the remarks when he met Hayatou in his office yesterday morning. The CAF boss is on an inspection tour of the country’s facilities.

The Deputy President said not only will they ensure that Kenya hosts the tournament but that it will also be a success. “We are working hard to ensure that the tournament is a success because we recognise the important role sport plays in developing and nurturing talent in the country,” he said.

Ruto said preparations to host the tournament were progressing well and work was going on round the clock to complete its infrastructure in time for the success of the biennial tournament.

“Kenya is a great sporting nation. We have faced challenges in the management of football in the country in the past, but we have corrected that and put the necessary steps in place to ensure we exploit the talent among our youth and strengthen football,” added the Deputy President.

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Speaking at the same function, Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa said four venues have already been identified to host the tournament. Kasarani, Nyayo, Kipchoge Keino and Mombasa Municipal Stadium are the selected venues and Kinoru stadium in Meru would be used as a backup.

Hayatou said he was confident that Kenya was capable of hosting the tournament that would enable the youth to showcase their talent in football.

“The tournament will give the locals the opportunity to exploit their talents in the field of football. We started this tournament in 2009 to provide strong foundation for the development of football in Africa,” he said.

Hayatou is accompanied by CAF Vice President Kabele Kamara and Secretary General Hicham Amrani. They inspected Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums yesterday. The two facilities, it is believed, do not need major upgrading.

The government is expected to gazette the CHAN 2018 Local Organising Committee next week as well as release money for the upgrading and renovation of the four venues.

It is the first time Kenya is hosting the tournament that is a preserve of home-based players.

In 1996, Kenya was given the right to host the Africa Cup of Nations finals, but pulled out at the last minute and the tournament went to South Africa.