Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Kipchumba Murkomen, has addressed reports circulating on social media that Kenya has lost the bid to host the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament to Rwanda due to inadequate preparation.
In a media interview with NTV, Murkomen labeled the reports as propaganda and criticized those spreading it, describing their actions as unpatriotic.
“It is a very strange phenomenon that a foreigner sitting somewhere in CAF is very positive about Kenya’s capacity and ability to host this tournament, yet we (Kenyans) are doing everything possible to sponsor propaganda.
We have even picked the country where the tournament will go. Be positive—this is your country,” Murkomen said.
Murkomen calls Kenyans spreading false information unpatriotic
He further stated that he does not know what the people who are spreading such information intend to achieve.
“I don’t know what you are trying to achieve. Is it to say that the current government has not achieved this or to say the current minister has not done what,” Murkomen said.
At the same time, the Sports CS assured that Kenya will host CHAN from February 1 to February 28 and that organizers will beat the deadline for the tournament’s preparation.
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“We are definitely hosting Chan from 1st to 28th February 2025. We’re working tirelessly to ensure our facilities are ready. It hasn’t been easy, but I receive updates every three days, and contractors have assured us they will meet the deadline,” Murkomen assured.
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When asked if Kasarani Stadium is ready to host the CHAN tournament, the Sports CS said that the government is doing its best.
According to him, the contractor committed to completing the remaining bit in a meeting he had with the management.
He further said that CAF is not expecting the entire stadium to be finished by the December 31st deadline, but there is a required standard that must be met.
About CHAN tournament
On Friday, December 6, Murkomen appointed a multi-agency team to spearhead the preparations for the 2025 CHAN tournament as Kenya rushes to beat the deadline of the tournament’s preparations.
The African Nations Championship (CHAN) is a biennial football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It features national teams composed exclusively of players who are active in their country’s domestic leagues.
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The 2024 edition of CHAN will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from February 1 to February 28, 2025.
This tournament aims to provide a platform for homegrown talent to showcase their skills on an international stage, promoting local leagues and giving players the opportunity to represent their nations.
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