Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda stage joint bid for 2017 Nations Cup
Aug 28, 2014
Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have agreed to pursue a joint bid to host the 2017 African Cup of Nations.
By Dennis Mabuka in Nairobi
Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have agreed to pursue a joint bid to host the 2017 African Cup of Nations.
This comes after bids were re-opened following the withdrawal of Libya as a host nation following unstable security situation in the country.
Football Kenya Federation President Sam Nyamweya revealed to New Vision that the East African nations have decided to support each other for a joint bid to stage the African showpiece.
“I am delighted that Uganda and Rwanda are supporting a proposal by Football Kenya Federation to jointly pursue interest in bidding to host 2017 Orange Caf Africa Cup of Nations after bids were re-opened following withdrawal of Libya as host nation.
“Mr. Nzamwita Vincent Degaule, Honourable President of Federation of Rwanda Football Association (Ferwafa) and Mr. Moses Hassim Magogo, Honourable President of Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) have written to us backing our proposal saying they would love us to further explore opportunity of submitting to Caf our joint bid by September 30, 2014 deadline.
“As a federation, we feel honoured that our brothers from neighbouring countries have shared our view so that together, we may bring the continent of Africa to our region as East Africans. I hope my colleagues in Tanzania, Burundi and the rest will follow suit so that we begin the process of preparing the bid.
“I urge respective ministries of Sports, Tourism and Foreign Affairs in our nations under the auspices of the East African Community initiative, driven by the EAC Secretariat, to move with speed and work together with our federations to ensure that we have a strong bid that will be successful.
“I, once again, thank Governments of our region for their steadfastness in supporting football activities which I firmly believe will soon bring us to par or even better than the rest of the African continent. I am convinced that we shall secure the necessary government guarantees, with a firm commitment to having a successful tournament that will serve the rest of Africa the best of our hospitality.”
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Kenya and Uganda plan joint bid for Nations Cup