Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have forked out billions of shillings to host the African Nations Championships (CHAN).The event initially scheduled to be held from Saturday 1 to Friday 28 February has been pushed to August.Gor Mahia’s invincible winning coach expresses interest in Harambee Stars jobBut behind the excitement of hosting Africa’s second-tier nations competition, the three countries will be forced to spend big.According to reports, the three nations will not get anything in return directly as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) takes over every tournament aspect, including ticketing.##NAJAVA_MECA_8632988##The three countries have already each paid CAF $13 million (Ksh1.6 billion) as a bond to be allowed to host the tournament.This is the money CAF will use to organize the tournament including paying for accommodation for all participating teams and its other officials.Meet the Kenyan camera crew that filmed the Real Madrid vs. Barcelona Spanish Super Cup finalApart from that, the three countries have each been asked to provide a helicopter and a chartered plane to be on standby for use by CAF officials during the entire duration of the tournament.Hiring a helicopter in Kenya costs around Ksh250,000 and Ksh350,000 per hour while hiring a plane costs anything between Ksh700,000 and Ksh1million per hour.##NAJAVA_MECA_8633288##Any hopes of directly recouping some of the investment from hosting the tournament are almost zero as CAF takes over all aspects of the competition including sponsorships and ticketing.The continental body already has its sponsors who are the only ones allowed during its events.Dennis Oliech advises Joseph Okumu on his next career moveTotal Africa is CAF’s biggest sponsor and therefore no other fuel company operating in the region will be allowed to come on board as a sponsor. Telecommunications company Orange is another big sponsor of CAF.This is, however, not to say that Kenya will not experience any economic benefits of hosting the event with a ripple economic effect set to be felt.##NAJAVA_MECA_8633275##The most immediate benefit of hosting the event is the availability of CAF-approved stadia which have been missing in the last two years.Nyayo and Kasarani Stadia have been closed for renovations, denying both Sports Kenya, local teams and the national team Harambee Stars revenue.FKF president reveals when new Harambee Stars coach will be announcedApart from Nyayo and Kasarani, Kenya Police Sacco Stadium and Ulinzi Sports Complex have been earmarked as training grounds for CHAN and are also getting critical upgrades that will have a positive impact on local football for many years to come.Apart from stadia, the transport sector, local hotels and other accommodation facilities will also be beneficiaries when the tournament is held.##NAJAVA_MECA_8632971##With thousands of fans expected to troop into Nairobi for the tournament, hotels and especially Airbnbs are expected to reap big first from the huge numbers and also in increased rates due to the huge demand.
