According to the Managing Director of Mchezo, Ntoudi Mouyelo, Uganda and Tanzania are attracting sports sponsorships thanks to the good market environment.
Mouyelo said Mchezo will work with the three East African countries Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations successfully. He said thanks to government support, sports, especially football, is thriving in the region and underscored the significance of hosting AFCON in East Africa as a step in the right direction for football in the region.
“Football is the king of sports in Africa. Football is like a religion in some of our countries, and for the first time the AFCON is happening in East Africa and it’s the first time that we are having three different countries, together hosting the event in Kenya Uganda. and Tanzania.
“This was made possible because of the unity within the region. For a corporation like us, especially when we are in this market, it’s a unique opportunity to be visible and to engage with citizens of those markets.
“We will be investing in AFCON to build young African players and help them nurse the ambition of playing football professionally in Europe and becoming superstars.”
According to Mouyelo, bolstering sports on the continent is what will afford African players similar opportunities not to look outside anymore.
“Today in Africa, we are not benefiting from the talent that we have; athletes here are leaving the continent and going overseas to earn a better living. For us, investing in Africa means making sure that future generations must stay in Africa to make a living.”
He said many African players nurse the ambition of playing football professionally in Europe and becoming superstars but commercializing and developing sports in Africa is the best way to keep players from leaving the continent in search of greener pastures. He said bolstering sports in the continent is what will afford African players similar opportunities.
“Today in Africa, we are not benefiting from the talent that we have; athletes here are leaving the continent and going overseas to earn a better living. For us, investing in Africa means making sure that the future generations must stay in Africa to make a living,” explained Mouyelo.
Mouyelo was speaking at KPA Mbaraki Sports Ground in Mombasa County after the official opening of the East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games which was presided over by President William Ruto.