Kenya’s bid to co-host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August, alongside Uganda and Tanzania, is facing a major hurdle due to the country’s delay in paying the Ksh1.6 billion hosting fee to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).This will be the first time the region has hosted the biennial tournament. Initially scheduled for February, the event was postponed after CAF’s technical experts advised that the three countries’ infrastructure was still not up to standard.##NAJAVA_MECA_8789756##While Kenya’s main host stadia, Nyayo and Kasarani, were under renovation, only the former has since been completed, with Kasarani still under refurbishment.Training grounds also remain an issue; while Ulinzi Sports Complex and Police Sacco venues are ready, the Kasarani Annex and Kirigiti grounds are still incomplete, but the government has assured that all facilities will be ready before the tournament begins.Kenya U20 youngster secures trial with Belgian top tier sideAs the country works to complete its infrastructure, another significant problem has emerged. According to the Daily Nation, a report from the 2024/25 Supplementary Estimates, submitted by the State Department of Sports to the National Assembly’s Committee on Sports and Culture, highlights budget constraints.The ongoing refurbishment of the tournament venues has delayed Kenya’s payment of the $13 million (Ksh 1.6 billion) hosting fee for the 2024 CHAN.In addition to the two main venues and training grounds, Kenya is constructing the Talanta Sports City, a new ultra-modern 60,000-seater stadium along Ngong Road. These infrastructure projects have depleted the resources of the State Department of Sports, which is now urging the government to facilitate the payment to CAF.Prices and how to buy tickets for Harambee Stars vs Gabon match“The government is required to pay $13 million, approximately KES 1.682 billion, for hosting rights to CAF. The tight fiscal space for the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund (SASDF) is due to the prioritization of CHAN and AFCON infrastructure development, including the renovations of Kasarani, Nyayo, and Kipchoge Keino stadiums. In this regard, we request the committee to prioritize the hosting rights payment,” reads part of the report.The State Department for Sports has also requested an additional Ksh100 million to support preparations for CHAN 2024 and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.Kenya has been placed in Group A, billed as the “group of death,” alongside Morocco, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia. Group B consists of Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso. Group C includes Uganda, Niger, Guinea, and two qualifiers, while Group D features Senegal, Congo, Sudan, and Nigeria.Kayci Odhiambo rates AFC Leopards title chances after Shabana draw
