Hello

Your subscription is almost coming to an end. Don’t miss out on the great content on Nation.Africa

Ready to continue your informative journey with us?

Hello

Your premium access has ended, but the best of Nation.Africa is still within reach. Renew now to unlock exclusive stories and in-depth features.

Reclaim your full access. Click below to renew.

Subscribe for a month to get full access

Premium

East African nations vow to deliver historic CHAN tourney

From left:  Uganda’s Minister of State for Sports Peter Ogwang’,  Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Sports Salim Mvurya, Tanzania’s Minister for Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, and CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba address a press conference in Nairobi on June 3, 2025. 

Photo credit: Pool

By  Cecil Odongo

Reporter

Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba, who attended the meeting, commended the ministers’ pledge and stressed the importance of visa facilitation.
  • “Visa is crucial to allow free movement, and it is commendable that it’s being worked on,” said Mosengo-Omba.

Sports Ministers from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the successful delivery of the delayed 2024 Africa Nations Championship (Chan), promising a seamless, world-class tournament in August.

Speaking in Nairobi on Tuesday, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Sports Salim Mvurya, Uganda’s Minister of State for Sports Peter Ogwang’, and Tanzania’s Minister for Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, said preparations across the region are on track to host the best Chan tournament Africa has ever seen from August 2 to 28. 

Mvurya announced the introduction of a unified Pamoja Visa, a special travel arrangement to allow smooth movement across the three countries during the competition.

Related

“We will work with immigration departments to ensure a seamless visa entry requirement, which is very critical,” said Mvurya.

“We shall also facilitate equipment entry—some of which will require tax exemption—and we will coordinate that with respective ministries.”

The ministers further revealed that the cost of hosting the tournament will exceed Sh5 billion, with the three nations sharing the budget.

“We reaffirm our commitment to host the tournament, and each country is addressing all required areas to ensure its success,” Mvurya added.

Uganda’s Ogwang’ emphasised the economic and regional significance of the event.

“I welcome Africa to our countries. This will be the best competition in the history of Chan,” he said.

Prof Kabudi highlighted the long-term legacy of the ongoing infrastructure upgrades, which will also benefit the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), which the region will co-host.

“The infrastructure being put in place will serve us beyond Chaan and into Afcon 2027,” said Kabudi.

“It will also open the door to hosting other international events, not only in football but also in athletics.”

In Kenya, major renovations are ongoing at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums, as well as training grounds like Kirigiti, Police Sacco, and Ulinzi Stars Grounds.

Uganda is upgrading Nakivubo Stadium and constructing new venues in Lira City (Akii Bua Olympic Stadium) and Hoima.

Tanzania is renovating the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium and building new stadiums in Dodoma and Arusha.

CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba, who attended the meeting, commended the ministers’ pledge and stressed the importance of visa facilitation.

“Visa is crucial to allow free movement, and it is commendable that it’s being worked on,” said Mosengo-Omba.

“The affirmation and commitment to deliver the best ever CHAN is commendable. We trust it will be the same for AFCON 2027.”

CAF is expected to make a major announcement regarding the East African preparations for Chan at a press conference on Wednesday.