CHAN draw major step for Kenya hosting quest

The 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) draw will be held today from 8pm at the iconic Kenyatta International Convention Centre, an event to be graced by several dignitaries led by President William Ruto and CAF president Patrice Motsepe.

Today’s launch will be a significant step in Kenya’s quest to host the continental tournament that has eluded it twice due to lack of preparedness. The draw indicates that CAF has recognised Kenya’s progress and commitment to hosting the event.

While there have been previous challenges and setbacks, the current signs suggest that Kenya is ready to host the CHAN tournament.

Contractors need a pat on the back after ensuring a visible transformation of the facilities within 18 days. But despite the progress, a lot of work needs to be done in the remaining days to ensure that the match venues are up to the task.

On hotels and roads, Kenya scores high compared with the other regional hosts – Tanzania and Uganda – and the country should not be let down by the match venues that are the most important.

While Nyayo Stadium looks more like it, with almost 90 percent preparedness, Kasarani seems to be lagging behind. But if contractors maintain the current pace of their work, the facility may at least reach 80 percent, which would be sufficient enough to host the continental showpiece.

The initial slow pace in preparedness at some point threatened to jeopardise the tournament and there were rumours that Rwanda could have been considered as a replacement for Kenya. The government should use the near-miss in CHAN preparations as a harsh lesson to never again wait until the last minute.

Proactive planning prevents crises. When preparations are rushed, mistakes and oversights are inevitable. This leads to higher costs, lower quality, and potential embarrassment on the international stage. Early planning allows for careful budgeting, resource allocation, and risk mitigation.

Avoiding a last-minute rush also demonstrates respect for the event. Hosting a major sporting event is a privilege and a responsibility. Last-minute scrambling sends a message of disrespect to athletes, the sport, and the global audience.

Early preparedness also builds public trust. When the government shows competence and preparedness, it strengthens public trust and confidence.

Hopefully, this experience will serve as a powerful reminder to the government for future events, especially the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.