Several clubs that train at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega will be forced to look for alternative training grounds.The stadium is set to undergo major renovation and upgrading ahead of the African Nations Championships (CHAN) slated for September this year.Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are expected to co-host the 2024 edition of the CHAN, subject to successful stadium inspections. Bukhungu is one of the stadiums earmarked to host the continental showpiece.BUKHUNGU STADIUM WILL BE READY FOR CHAN 2024- CS ABABU DECLARESThe ongoing rehabilitation of the Bukhungu Stadium will be completed in time for the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament set for later this year, CS @AbabuNamwamba has said. pic.twitter.com/uzHBsVmmUy— Min. of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy & Sports (@moyasa_ke) January 18, 2024 The closure will see local league matches played at the Mumias Sports Complex or other venues.Speaking while conducting a visit to the stadium, Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba assured that the stadium would be ready to host the showpiece. The CS was accompanied by Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Baraza.According to the CS, some major renovations including lighting, changing rooms, and CAF-accredited natural grounds will be done during the closure period.The CS also promised that the ministry and the devolved unit would join hands in making the far-fetched dream a reality. The stadium recently played host to the Cecafa Under 18 tournament. The first phase will cost Ksh 475 million.“Bukhungu is a famous ground synonymous with the history of football, home to the greatest footballers and our collaboration is about completing it to international status,” the CS offered.Suspended Tanzania coach Adel Amrouche to appeal banGovernor Barasa noted that the devolved unit had set aside Ksh 400 million for the stadium’s construction this financial year, with the third phase set to cost the county a whooping Ksh 1.4 billion.“Officials from the Ministry of Sports have come with technical teams to inspect this stadium to see areas in which the national government can partner with us to make the facility ready for hosting CHAN and AFCON,” Barasa said.Drawing motivation from the CECAFA tournament and the Governor’s Cup which recently concluded in the county, the head of the devolved unit was confident that it had what it takes to host such a world-class tournament.“Kakamega has the great potential to host significant games and the county has proven it has what it takes to be good hosts for big tournaments as we have seen before,” he said.The project was approved for implementation after public participation and in 2015, the county government awarded the contract to Wilkori Building and Civil Engineering Contractors Company Limited in December 2017.##NAJAVA_MECA_7812119##The first phase involved offices of the county government, 200 capacity parking space, construction of stands, VIP and VVIP rooms, a doping control room, and two changing rooms among others.The second phase will involve the main VIP Stand, building terraces, gym room, six changing rooms, and dispensary room among others.The third phase will involve the main work in the C section which is finishes, fixes, safety installations, civil works specialist installations like lights, pitch earthworks, carpeting, and access roads among others.Masinza attributes Homeboyz loss to Sofapaka to lapses in concentration
