The preparations for the TotalEngeries CAF Africa Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) have now entered a stage where there is no turning back.
With eight days to the kick-off of the highly anticipated football tournament co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, stakes are high and all stakeholders are doing whatever it takes to deliver results.
While talking to the press at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Thursday morning, the Local Organizing Committee of Uganda reassured the public about the Country’s readiness and commitment to co-host the tournament. Here is what you need to know.
Status of the Tournament
The CHAN 2024 will run from 2 – 30 August. It has been clarified by the Committee that although the tournament is happening in 2025, it retains the official name CHAN 2024 and the brand identity does not change, even if the event is held later than planned.
Clarity was further given that the co-hosting sequence for CHAN 2024 is Kenya,Tanzania, and Uganda. A landmark collaboration between the three East African nations.
Media Coverage
The Local Organizing Committee confirmed that the accreditation process is complete and most media personnel who applied through CAF should have received approvals by now and will get further instructions via the CAF Media channel.
All accredited journalists were reminded that access will be limited to media operation zones. A designated and fully equipped media center will be their first stop upon arrival at the stadium. Match day operations for the media will begin at the media center,with the first game scheduled to kick off at 5 PM. This is according to Ahmed Hussein a member of the Communications and Signage Sub- committee in charge of media operations
Ticket prices
Dr. Denis Mugimba, the Chairperson of the Communications and Signage Sub- committee said ticket pricing for CHAN 2024 is a collaborative decision involving Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
“The guiding principle is affordability, ensuring even the lowest-income fans can access and enjoy the tournament. Ticket prices for CHAN 2024 will be announced virtually. A ticketing service provider has been selected by the Local Organizing Committee, but CAF will make the official announcement,” he confirmed.
Branding
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has already identified an agency to handle the work of branding at Namboole Stadium.The company has already arrived in Uganda and begun engagements with authorities to start the work according to the committee.
The Chairperson of the Communications and Signage Sub-committee added that another CAF appointed service provider known as Publicis is now in Uganda to oversee branding at Entebbe Airport and along key routes leading to Namboole Stadium.
“Billboard branding across Kampala and on around 21 key roads will be managed directly by the Local Organizing Committee. Branding is a shared responsibility between CAF and the hosts,” said Dr Mugimba.
Volunteers
About 400–500 volunteers have been recruited to support the tournament. While they are not permanent staff, they will play a key role in ensuring that the tournament runs smoothly. All the volunteers recruited for CHAN 2024 will work throughout the month-long event and remain in the Local Organizing Committee’s database for potential future opportunities like AFCON according to Dr Mugimba.
