Kenya is revving up preparations ahead of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which is scheduled to run from Saturday, 2 August, to Saturday, 30 August 2025.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More NewsIn a notable move, the country is prioritizing fan safety and matchday security by training a specialized police unit to boost security during the tournament.##NAJAVA_MECA_8877587##Fifty Administration Police officers from the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) are currently undergoing a stadium safety and security capacity-building program at the RDU headquarters in Embakasi.This is the first time Kenya is offering such targeted training specifically tailored to policing major sporting events.The training, spearheaded by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) National Safety and Security Officer for Kenya, Austin Oduor Otieno, in collaboration with CAF Zonal Officer Kingsley Litali, is designed to enhance preparedness and ensure that football fans experience a safe and secure environment during matches.FKFPL: Gor look to silence drama, build title credentials in Thursday’s rescheduled matchThe move mirrors global best practices, where elite police units are deployed during high-profile sports competitions.Countries such as the United States, South Africa, France, and Germany have long relied on specialized security forces, including SWAT teams and anti-terrorism squads, to safeguard events like the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics, and national leagues.These units are equipped to manage a range of threats, from terrorist attacks and active shooter situations to crowd disturbances.Kenya’s decision to train its elite RDU officers follows a growing recognition of the risks that come with hosting large-scale tournaments.Imbachi rallies Starlets for do-or-die clash in CameroonIn 2022, for example, Qatar deployed the Joint Task Force (JTF) to secure the FIFA World Cup, while the NFL in the U.S. routinely partners with law enforcement to tackle counterfeit merchandise and other potential threats during games.Originally scheduled for February 2024, CHAN was postponed just 18 days before kickoff.##NAJAVA_MECA_8877574##CAF stated that more time was needed to ensure infrastructure and facilities across host nations Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania met required standards.CHAN is unique among CAF competitions in that it features only players who are active in their country’s domestic leagues.
