By David Ndolo
Kenya will meet all her financial obligations as well as ensure full infrastructural compliance as she gears to host Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Tanzania and Uganda next year.
The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya said the Ministry was working closely with all the relevant bodies including the Parliamentary Committee on Sports and the National Treasury as part of Whole-of-Government-Approach towards availing all resources required for hosting the continental tournament.
The CS was speaking on Tuesday during the official announcement and launch of FIFA Women’s Series that will be hosted by Kenya from 11th to 15 April.
“I want to assure all Kenyans and our international stakeholders including the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that we are meeting both our financial obligations and infrastructural compliances,” said Mvurya.
He further noted that Kenya’s preparedness for AFCON was progressing well and the country was fully confident of delivering a world-class by next year.
“We are on course with our sports infrastructure. This is why we invited CAF to come and check on our progress because we know are doing excellently,” he added.
Kenya is hosting AFCON next year alongside Uganda and Tanzania in a pamoja East Africa bid. As part of the hosting requirements, Kenya is set to pay sh 3.9 billion as mandatory hosting fee.
CAF also demanded the rehabilitation of the sports facilities that will be used to host the tournament.
Already, the 60,000-seater Talanta Stadium is over 87 percent complete and is poised to be the main stadium for the AFCON matches.
The Moi International Sports Center in Kasarani will also be a venue for AFCON matches while Nyayo National Stadium will be used as team’s training ground.
Speaking during the event, the Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi termed it as a great honor to host the continental event.
He further urged Kenyans to be passionate in supporting Kenya to become a premier host of international tournaments through being positive and upbeat over such tournaments.
“We should be very proud and passionate that we are hosting this great sporting tournament,” he said.
