This is a question that must have crossed the minds of Kenyans after the regional body failed to hand Kenya the opportunity to host at least an event in the year.
Could the lack of facilities be the reason for CECAFA to snub Kenya when dishing hosting rights to various activities this year?
This is a question that must have crossed the minds of Kenyans after the regional body failed to hand Kenya the opportunity to host at least an event in the year.
Kenya hosted a successful CECAFA U18 event in December last year in Kisumu and kakamega and was expected to play host to major regional events this year.
However, none will be played in Kenya after the council awarded the rights to neighboring countries.
With local clubs scrambling for the few available sporting facilities, probably it became apparent that Kenya wasn't ready for a regional burden.
Bukhungu and Kasarani stadia have been closed for upgrade in readiness for CHAN and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Meanwhile CECAFA, has awarded Zanzibar the hosting rights for the 2024 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.
This was announced during the CECAFA General Assembly that is ongoing at the Pride Inn Paradise Hotel in Mombasa, Kenya.
Isayas Jira, the CECAFA Vice President who is also the Chairman of the Competitions Committee made the announcement. He said the decision was arrived during the CECAFA Executive meeting held on February 22nd, 2024.
“We brought back the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup because of marketing issues,” added Isayas. We also appointed six members to make change some for our tournaments,” added Isayas.
The CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup returns after it last took place 2019 in Uganda. President, of the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF) Suleiman Mahmoud Jabir said he was happy that the Senior Challenge Cup is returning. “For us Senior Challenge Cup is like a World Cup and having it back will perhaps help strength our teams to even qualify more for AFCON,” added Jabir.
Zanzibar has also been awarded the rights to host the CAF Africa Schools Football Championship CECAFA Zonal qualifiers.
Uganda were awarded the rights to host the AFCON U-17 Boys CECAFA Zonal qualifiers, while Tanzania host the AFCON U-20 CECAFA Zonal qualifiers.
Ethiopia were awarded to host the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers, and the CECAFA U-20 Girls Championship.