AF Secretary General Hicham El Amrani has urged Rwanda to keep up the good work in preparing for the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament. El Amrani made the remarks after visiting the venues earmarked for the tournament. The delegation was led by CAF President Issa Hayatou including 2nd Vice-president Almamy Kabele Camara, who doubles as Chairman of the Organising Committee for CHAN. Rwandan Minister of Sports and Culture Protais Mitali and Infrastructure Minister Silas Lwakabamba, Degaule Vincent Nzamwita, president of Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) were also part of the inspection. The sites visited and approved include Huye, Rubavu and Kigali which has two stadia Amahoro and Kigali Regional stadium respectively. The CAF delegation later met with officials of the Local Organizing Committee to discuss issues related to the organization of the tournament. El Amrani said: “Rwanda is on the right track to host the tournament in 2016 and we are glad because we had the Ministers of sports and culture as well as infrastructure with us while visiting different host venues and this shows commitment at the highest level. “We know that when President Paul Kagame promises something, he does deliver and Rwanda has always delivered and this was proven by hosting the 2009 U-20 and 2011 U-17 tournaments and there is no reason why it won’t be ready for the CHAN tournament. “Rwanda has infrastructure and facilities in place but they need to be upgraded and improved for the 16-team CHAN tournament to take place and allow attractive play.” He added, “We have the commitment from the authorities and local organizing committee to do what is necessary to make sure the tournament is a success.” Amahoro stadium, Stade de Kigali, Stade de Rubavu and Stade de Huye will be upgraded to meet the standards according to FERWAF President, Nzamwita. “We have given CAF our commitment to have the stadiums upgraded and ready in time for the tournament. We have no excuse to prepare a successful CHAN tournament. We are ready to host the tournament,” said Nzamwita. It will be recalled that CAF President Hayatou endorsed Rwanda to host the 2016 edition of CHAN in January 2011 after the country staged two successful youth continental tournaments in a space of three years; 2009 Africa Youth championship and the African U-17 Championship two years later. CHAN, a tournament designed exclusively for footballers playing in their domestic leagues has since been held in Cote d’Ivoire (2009), Sudan (2011) and South Africa (2014).
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 17:51:56 +0000
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