Addressing reports suggesting Kenya's unpreparedness and the possibility of Rwanda stepping in as a replacement co-host, Murkomen stated that such claims are unfounded.
"The truth is that we are hosting CHAN from February 1 to February 28, 2025. While the schedule and team allocations are yet to be finalized, we are burning the midnight oil to ensure our facilities are ready," Murkomen told Kenya's NTV on Monday night, insisting that plans are in top gear to expedite the arrival of essential materials by air to meet the tight deadline.
He acknowledged the challenges posed by delays in infrastructure development, particularly at the Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums, but assured the public that efforts are underway to meet the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) requirements.
"I receive updates three times a week from contractors, who have assured us they will do everything humanly possible to meet the deadline," he stressed.
Murkomen also highlighted Kenya's commitment to hosting CHAN and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), clarifying that the bids for the two tournaments are independent of each other.
"Unfortunately, some have conflated the two. For CHAN, we committed to providing two stadiums, and we are on track to fulfil this obligation," he explained.
In response to reports claiming CAF's dissatisfaction and the potential relocation of CHAN matches, Murkomen stated: "There has never been a discussion about shifting hosting rights from Kenya to any neighbouring country. CAF officials are in constant communication with us, and their feedback has been constructive. President Patrice Motsepe will visit Kenya next week to inspect progress, which underscores their support."
Murkomen acknowledged Kenya's historical struggles with sports infrastructure but framed the current situation as a wake-up call.
"We need nearly Ksh7 billion (about Rwf70 billion) to bring our facilities up to the required standards. Despite competing national priorities, we are mobilizing resources and working with contractors to ensure readiness," he said.
The minister also praised CAF for their collaborative approach and urged Kenyans to remain optimistic and patriotic.
"This is a critical moment for our nation to reclaim its place as a leader in African sports. Hosting CHAN and AFCON will leave a lasting legacy for our sports infrastructure and inspire future generations," he noted.
Murkomen's reassurances come amid heightened public scrutiny and concerns over Kenya's ability to deliver on its hosting commitments.
CHAN 2025 is scheduled to begin on February 1, 2025. CAF initially awarded co-hosting rights for CHAN 2025 to three countries from the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) zone including Tanzania and Uganda.
With Kenya struggling to meet the necessary requirements, reports emerged over the weekend that Rwanda was being considered as a replacement co-host alongside Tanzania and Uganda.
Kenyan media reports indicate that CAF delegates visited Kenya last week and expressed dissatisfaction with the state of preparations. The delegates reportedly issued a deadline of December 31, 2024, for Kenya to complete the required work or lose its hosting rights.
Currently, Kenya has no CAF-approved stadiums for the tournament. Kasarani Stadium, one of the proposed venues, is only 30% complete, while Nyayo Stadium lags even further behind.
In contrast, Rwanda's infrastructure is well-prepared. Stadiums such as Amahoro Stadium, Kigali Pelé Stadium, and Huye Stadium all meet CAF standards and are capable of hosting CHAN matches. Rwanda previously hosted the entire tournament in 2016, demonstrating its capability.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/sports/article/kenya-s-sports-minister-addresses-reports-of-losing-chan-bid
