Uganda’s Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, and his Tanzanian counterpart, Palamagamba John Aidan Mwaluko, have appealed to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to rename the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament to Pamoja CHAN 2024.The CHAN tournament returns to the CECAFA zone for the third time, following successful editions in Sudan (2011) and Rwanda (2016).For the first time, the tournament will be co-hosted by three East African nations—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—highlighting regional collaboration and providing an opportunity to showcase East Africa’s football infrastructure and passion for the sport.##NAJAVA_MECA_8632962##The three nations have also secured the bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) under the EA Pamoja Bid, emphasizing unity and shared purpose among East African countries.“I ask CAF to allow us to name this tournament CHAN Pamoja,” proposed Ogwang during the CHAN 2024 draw held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on Wednesday night.“This event is significant to us because it demonstrates that East Africa is ready to host major continental events. Although the tournament was initially scheduled for February, it has been rescheduled to August. The United Republic of Tanzania feels privileged and honored to co-host this event, which is why I join my brothers from Kenya and Uganda in requesting that the tournament be renamed to Pamoja, meaning ‘together’,” said Tanzania Sports Minister Mwaluko. Kenya placed in Group A of African Nations ChampionshipThe ministers further explained that the proposed name stems from the East African Community’s motto, “One People, One Destiny.”They also reaffirmed their countries’ readiness to host CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027.“Greetings from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the senior minister of sports, Mama Janet Museveni. I confirm and affirm that Uganda is ready to host CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027. I welcome the entire world to East Africa,” stated Ogwang.The 2024 CHAN tournament will be historic for several reasons. Apart from being the first CHAN tournament co-hosted by three countries, it will mark Kenya’s debut in the CHAN finals and its first time hosting a major continental football event—a significant milestone in the country’s football development.SDT orders Gor Mahia to conduct elections within 90 daysAdditionally, a new trophy has been introduced for CHAN 2024, featuring 54 lines symbolizing the unity of Africa’s nations, reflecting the growing prestige of the tournament and the continent’s solidarity.##NAJAVA_MECA_8632809##CAF has also significantly increased the prize money for CHAN 2024, raising the total pool by 75% to Ksh 1.35 billion ($10.4 million), with the champions set to receive Ksh 453 million ($3.5 million).CHAN remains unique as it features only players active in their respective domestic leagues, offering an essential platform for local talent to gain continental exposure and experience.
