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The three countries pushed for the opportunity to host Africa’s most popular sports event for the first time under the Pamoja AFCON bid. The bid trounced other countries such as Botswana, Senegal, Nigeria, and Benin, which had expressed interest in hosting the tournament that same year.
At the heart of this excitement, though, are the known weaknesses of the three East African countries, most especially Uganda, whose sports infrastructure would need a complete overhaul if the tournament is to be hosted there.
According to a report by Pulse Sports Uganda, our sister platform, requirements such as CAF-approved international stadiums (at least three of them), the availability of health and medical services, good security, financial capability and organisational capability are key before a country is considered eligible to host the elite tournament.
Each country is expected to commit $ 30 million, which, according to the report, CAF regulates that it should be deposited in a joint account by 2025 where it will be managed.
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During the bid, each country presented three stadiums they hope to use during the tournament. Uganda, in particular, proposed the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, as a potential venue, and promised to build two more venues for the tournament.
While appearing on the Capital Gang political talk show, on Capital Radio, on Saturday, September 30, 2023, the Federation of Uganda Football Association president, Moses Magogo, said that Uganda is to construct the Akii Bua stadium in Lira as well as the Buhinga Stadium in Hoima. He said proposals for both stadiums have been finalised.
The three East African nations have up to three years to prepare for the tournament, which must include setting up fully functional modern state-of-the-art stadiums and medical facilities, among other requirements.
The event comes against the backdrop of a slight shift in the way the leaders of all countries perceive sports. In Uganda, for instance, the sports budget has increased by more than 60%, up from sh3.4 billion in 2016 to sh47.7 billion.
This budget is likely to double given the clout the tournament is likely to bring to the region. It is an opportunity for all the East African countries to showcase the best they can offer to the rest of the world.
Hosting the tournament presents an opportunity to heavily invest in sports infrastructure.