Kisumu City is set to host this year’s Council for East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) Under-18 competitions for boys Championships which starts on Saturday, November 25 and ends on December 8.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o expressed his excitement and the great honour accorded to the lakeside city to host the first international soccer tournament in many years.
“Kisumu City is no doubt the headquarters of football in the region, having produced many local and international football stars. We shall also be co-hosting with Kakamega County and heartedly thank the Sports Cabinet Secretary, Mr Ababu Namwamba, the CECAFA Governing Council and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for the timely nod,’’ Prof Nyong’o said during a press conference at his City Hall office.
The two-week tournament, he noted, comes at a time when the county government is also gearing up to be one of the hosts for the Africa Champions (AFCON) next year.
Nyong’o welcomed all the participating teams and their officials to the tournament to be held at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium.
Host Kenya is slotted in Group A alongside Rwanda, Somalia and Sudan. Group B has neighbours South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zanzibar. The opening match which begins at midday will pity Somalia against Rwanda.
The Salim Babu’s charges will battle it out with their neighbouring counterparts Sudan as they will play all their group matches in Kisumu.
“The tournament’s facility is ready for mouthwatering actions and we shall grace it with CS Namwamba. I also wish to assure all our guests that Kisumu is safe and their security is guaranteed,” said Governor Nyong’o.
The county boss further appealed to the people of Kisumu to warmly welcome all the visitors and turn up in large numbers to watch the matches and cheer our national team.
The FKF Chief Executive Officer Barry Otieno announced that there will be free entries in all venues for all soccer lovers.
“I call upon football fans drawn from the CECAFA region and Kenya, in particular, to turn up in large numbers to support the teams,” Otieno remarked when he paid a courtesy call to Kisumu Governor Prof. Nyong’o in his office.
Nyong’o added that Moi Stadium will soon undergo major renovations turning it into an ultra-modern Olympics-like stadium.
The presser was also attended by CECAFA Marketing Manager Andrew Jackson, Nyanza Region FKF NEC member Joseph Andere and Kisumu County Executive Member in-charge of Sports Beatrice Odongo.
By Rolex Omondi
