The renovations and facelifting of Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium to render them fit for use in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) continue albeit not in high gear.According to a video posted by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) together with a delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on an inspection tour of the two facilities on Saturday 22 February and Sunday 23 February, the works are almost complete.At Kasarani, the playing surface has now fully matured and grown and is ready to host matches. The changing rooms are also complete as well as the VIP canopy.Former Gor Mahia forward Dennis Oliech struggles to pick Mashemeji Derby favouriteHowever, canopy installation on the remaining parts of the stadium is yet to commence even though Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum confirmed in an earlier interview that the canopy will be completed before August when CHAN takes place.At Nyayo National Stadium, the pitch is ready to host matches, the renovation works on the changing rooms to make them modern are done, the massage room is complete, the media centre is in place and so are the floodlights.LOC and CAF also visited Kasarani Annex, Kenya Police Sacco Stadium and Ulinzi Sports Complex which will all be used as training grounds.##NAJAVA_MECA_8737221##The changing rooms at both Annex and Police Sacco are complete while Ulinzi even hosted the match between Harambee Starlets and Tunisia on Friday 21 February.LOC CEO Mike Rabar who spoke to the media after the inspection tour announced that the committee is now graduating to the next phase of preparations away from infrastructure.“Focus shifts to the softer side of the event which involves the planning of the committees, the marketing, all the communications, ticketing and accreditation and so come March 1 2025, we will now go full gear to bring the softer side of the event,” said Rabar.Free agent Victor Wanyama reveals offers on table, rules out early retirementAccording to Rabar, the three host nations (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) will launch a joint campaign dubbed ‘Pamoja Campaign’ in mid-match to announce the modalities of the tournament.This will then be followed by the launch of a robust marketing initiative to publicize the tournament across the three countries.“Promos on media will be launched on April 1 2025 where we will start seeing billboards, branding and various forms of advertisement,” he said.##NAJAVA_MECA_8737225##The finer details of how the marketing will be conducted will be decided when LOCs of the three nations meet in Kampala on Monday 3 March 2025, a meeting that will also decide on how to engage personnel in the CAF event as a way of preparing them for the continental tourney.“We are also going to plan how to handle key events that CAF will be holding between now and August. We will be taking some of our LOC members to experience how things are done as soon as possible as we go into full gear.”Rabar noted that the biennial tournament provides much more than just hosting but is an inspiration to generations.South African club slams FKF in bid to appoint Harambee Stars’ next coach“This event goes beyond just hosting the tournament. It provides an opportunity to inspire the next generation of event planners and football technical staff to learn how to host events of this magnitude,” he noted.For the above reason CAF in collaboration with LOC will carry out various capacity-building programs as explained by Rabar.“One of the things we want to implement is to have training programs for upcoming sportsmen and women who are keen on planning and putting together such events.##NAJAVA_MECA_8737223##We will have clear programs for training volunteers on how to manage such events from the team services, medical trainees, transport coordinators and logistics.”The CEO also explained that it would thereafter be easy for the three host countries to implement and maintain the same standards of organization in their domestic leagues as a way of improving the game.On his part, LOC Chairman Nicholas Musonye assured Kenyans of the country’s preparedness to host the competition.Musonye, CAF satisfied with progress at Nyayo and Kasarani stadia ahead of CHAN“I want to assure Kenyans that we are ahead of schedule in our preparations and therefore Kenyans should not worry. With the extra time that CAF gave us, we have gone an extra mile to ensure that we are ready for the tournament,” said Musonye.The former CECAFA boss also revealed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match between Kenya and Gabon that will be hosted at the Nyayo National Stadium will serve as a good opportunity to gauge the country’s preparedness for CHAN.The sports journalist turned administrator also appreciated the efforts of the Government of Kenya to ensure the country hosts the tournament in the best way possible.##NAJAVA_MECA_8737237##“I want to thank the government and in particular the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports for the good job that they have done to make us ready.”CHAN will take place from Saturday 2 August to Saturday 30 August with CAF yet to announce the venue for both the opening ceremony and the finals.Photos Courtesy of CHAN LOC
