The 2013 Tusker CECAFA challenge tournament shall be held in Kenya. Rwanda who last hosted this regional soccer tourney in 2005 has been put on the standby. Both Kenya and Rwanda had expressed their willingness to host the annual football tournament that brings together East and Central Africa nations.
“I am happy with the decision to award Kenya the rights to host the regional tournament. CECAFA told us to ensure that we have sponsors for the tournament to be able to host it and I am confident that there are more than enough sponsors willing to support the hosting and I would like to urge Kenyans to start preparing for it,” said FKF Chairman Sam Nyamweya.
According to the Rwanda Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Edward Kalisa, Rwanda is more than ready to take the tournament up just in case Kenya gives up the chance.
Kenya, who last hosted the CECAFA event two years ago in 2009, were given the green light to move ahead and secure a sponsor for the event by the CECAFA Congress that sat in Kampala prior to the kick-off of the 2012 edition. Nyamweya anticipates that a few more sports infrastructure will be ready and there is no way Rwanda can grab their golden chance.
“We expect to have the tournament in Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa because the Kisumu and Mombasa stadia would have been ready by the time of the tournament. Rwanda has been picked as the second possible host on the occasion that Kenya fails to get sponsors for the event, but that would certainly not happen”, he adds.
Rwanda on the other hand believes having hosted the Africa Youth U-17 and U-20 Championships in 2009 gives them the impetus to host the CECAFA. Ferwafa chairman Celestin Ntagungira says Rwanda is ready to host the 2013 CECAFA.
“We have the Amahoro, Nyamirambo and Umuganda stadia. And already, two other stadiums are being built in Muhanga and Huye. There are also
good 5 star hotels in Kigali and Rubavu”, Celestin reasons.
A decision will be made in March next year on the sidelines of the CAF Congress in Morocco when Rwanda and Kenya will make their final presentations for hosting the 2013 CECAFA Challenge Cup.