CHAN 2024: Stadium security and infrastructure in Kenya a concern

Kenya will use two multi-purpose venues in Nairobi for CHAN; the 60,000-capacity Kasarani Stadium and the 22,000-seater Nyayo National Stadium.

According to the country’s local organising committee chief executive Mike Rabar, it is the latter that has concerned Caf the most.

“The biggest infrastructural set-backs so far are things like the perimeter wall in Nyayo, which should be ready by end of this month,” Rabar told BBC Sport Africa.

“That is why Caf is not 100% giving us go ahead. There are small things.

“Entrances around the stadium have to be contained with turnstile infrastructure to make sure the traffic is managed in a way that flows in an organised manner.

“These are things that Caf is adamant about – safe security of the fans.”

Regarding the Kenya-Gabon game in March, where e-ticketing had been used and sales had ended a day before the game, Rabar said organisers “did well” in some elements.

“Of course, there was infringement from weak infrastructure around the stadium,” he added. “Those are the spaces we want to focus on.”

Caf president Patrice Motsepe, who toured East Africa to check progress on CHAN preparations in December, will be expected to visit the region again soon.

That trip will serve as a crucial deadline for the three host nations.

On their part, Kenya’s local organising committee is eager to be ready by the end of June.

“What is pending are small things like [computer] connectivity, power issues, communications,” Rabar said.

“Caf has set very high standards for us so we are trying to see how do we meet these standards and make sure that by the time we get to the first week of July we can host a game comfortably.”

Meanwhile, sports ministers from the three host nations have affirmed their commitment to hosting a successful tournament with a budget of $39m.

Discussions for a ‘Pamoja visa’ to facilitate entry and movement are ongoing, and the three countries are also working on providing tax exemptions for equipment brought into their territories.