With the memories of the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) still fresh in minds, it is worth noting that Rwanda held a successful tournament, perhaps it should be a lesson to Kenya the hosts of CHAN 2018 and Ethiopia in 2020.

Without any doubt, the small country of 11 million had to be applauded by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) having demonstrated how it should and can be done. 

All the conditions were met including four stadiums: Amahoro Stadium, Rubavu, Huye and Kigali Regional Stadium, the media did not complain because the necessary infrastructure like the wireless internet was available at every stadium for them to do their work.

The country waived the fees for every visitors at all points of entry an issue that saw winners DR Congo fans traveling to Kigali in thousands to rally behind their team as it made history by winning the CHAN twice since its inception in 2009.

All the teams received the required accommodation and transportation to the training and playing venues on time. The slight human negligence was the generator state at Huye where lights went off for 10 minutes during the Cameroon and Ethiopia match but action was taken on those in charge.

In terms of security, the fans were safe as they travelled around the country without any fright. Rwanda National Police played a huge role, by assisting the organizers when stadiums where full by directing fans where they were supposed to seat depending on their electronic tickets purchased. 

Through the countries vision 2020, Rwanda has built an integral tool to boost recovery from the past and the power to convey social and economic change through a comprehensible long-term sports strategy for development.

President Kagame should be applauded for his role in promoting regional football. During the 2016 edition, he was at the forefront attending matches whenever he was in the country. 

Rwanda’s success in hosting CHAN is because of support from the government which put in such a huge amount of money.

If Kenya and Ethiopia are to host a successful continental showpiece just like Rwanda, they need support from their governments. 

After being handed over the necessary instruments as the next CHAN hosts in 2018, after the finals game, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) vice president Robert Asembo told me in an interview:

"I am confident Kenya will host a decent tournament, raising a bar from what Rwanda has so far offered. Rwanda put in a lot of money on infrastructure and hospitality, but we hope to use lesser amount because Rwanda had to construct new stadia.”

He further said that, "FKF has already rolled preparations to host the tournament. But judging from the 2013 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, let us hope it becomes a success. It was a worst experience seeing teams locked up in hotels because of failing to pay for the services received.” 

"It left the country with a bad taste from the participants; history also shows FKF is a chief when it comes to shifting blame claiming government failed to fund preparations.”

If Kenya is not ready by that time, Ethiopia should take over since it has already rolled the carpet with stadia construction underway, and after hosting a successful CECAFA Senior Challenge tournament last year, the country is investing in huge infrastructure including roads and hotels. 

While in Kigali for 2016 CHAN, Ethiopian Football Federation President Juneydi Basha explained to reporters his country is will be ready for CHAN 2020.

"We are going through stadium construction a long side other projects like hotels, road networks. We hope to show the World and African that we shall be ready to host a successfully event just like Rwanda,” he stated.

Already over eight stadiums are under construction; Hawasa (40,000 seater), Mekelle (50,000 seater), Negmet (30,000 seater), Bahir Dar (50,000 seater), Woldia (30,000 seater), Asosa (30,000) and Gambella (30,000 seater) as well as Dire Dawa Jigjiga, the main stadium with 60,000 capacity seater. 

From what I see, Kenya and Ethiopia need good money, transparency, accountability and the required commitment from the leaders and the government, on top of consultation from CAF for other specifications.

editoral@newtimes.co.rw