NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – Kenya will not host the Confederation of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Under -17 tournaments due to lack of funds.CECAFA secretary general Nicholas Musonye said on Tuesday that the tournament will now take place in Sudan where the government will fund to the tune of Sh30.8 million.
“Kenya had agreed to host this competition alongside the Senior Challenge Cup but to financial reasons and lack of sponsorship, it cannot take place here,” said Musonye.
Khartoum and the southern Sudanese city of Juba will be the host cities of the junior event to be held from August 23-September 6.
Musonye was quick to state that Kenya will still host the Senior Challenge Cup from November 27 to Jamhuri Day.
“Kenya will host the Challenge Cup, that is a fact. I am talking with the relevant organizations in this country to make sure that is staged by all means possible,” said Musonye.
Kenya has hosted Africa’s oldest football tournament four times in 1979, 1983, 1989 and 1994.
Musonye revealed that Saudi Sheikh Mohammed Al Amoudi, who sponsored the tournament in 2005 and 2006 is willing to return and fund the tournament.
“We have spoken to the Sheikh and he has said that we have to meet as soon as possible because he wants the tournament to be staged in Kenya,” said Musonye.
Musonye also announced that the Kagame Club Challenge cup will also be staged in Sudan after original hosts Uganda pulled out due to lack of sponsorship.
“Uganda said that they were not able to host the tournament because the sponsors of the tournament diverted the money elsewhere,” said Musonye.
“We moved fast and managed to secure a new sponsor for the Kagame Cup which will be held in Khartoum and Port Sudan from June 30-July 12 and will be sponsored to the tune of Sh50 million