KAMPALA, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has expressed pride that Uganda will be one of the hosts of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Uganda, along with Kenya and Tanzania, will co-host the tournament, which is set to feature 19 teams from August 2 to 30. The competition, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is exclusively contested by players who compete in their national domestic leagues.
CAF announced in January that the CHAN 2024 tournament would be postponed to August 2025 to allow more time for another qualifying round to decide the final two participants.
Speaking at the official launch of CHAN 2024 at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala on Friday, Museveni said Uganda is well-prepared to deliver a successful event.
"We are very happy that CHAN is coming to Uganda, and we are looking forward to hosting it," said Museveni. "This tournament has given us a good challenge and is already driving infrastructure development, including stadium construction."
Museveni also emphasized that CHAN is more than just a football event. "It will not only showcase talent on the pitch but also promote tourism and regional integration," he said.
Uganda's First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, thanked CAF for its support and reaffirmed the government's commitment to delivering a memorable tournament. "It's not just about hosting a football competition," she said. "This is a demonstration that sports can bring people together."
The President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), Moses Hassim Magogo, said the launch was a deeply emotional moment for him. "It has always been my dream to bring a major football tournament to Uganda. That dream is now becoming a reality," said Magogo.
This will be the first time that Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania co-host the CHAN tournament. Within the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) region, only Rwanda and Sudan have previously hosted the competition.
