This year’s 41st edition of the CECAFA Kagame Cup Club Championships which was due to take place from June 18-July 2 in Tanzania, continues to hang in balance, with the organizing committee still struggling to get a new host.
The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) declined to host the games citing a busy international schedule and both Sudan and Rwanda are yet to respond after being requested by CECAFA to step in as hosts.
CECAFA media officer Rogers Mulindwa, revealed that either Sudan or Rwanda would host the regional annual competition which is sponsored by President Paul Kagame since 2002.
“We have approached Rwanda and Sudan and a final communication will be released soon,” he said two weeks ago, although the communication is yet to come through.
However, Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) president, Vincent Nzamwita said that Rwanda has not received any official communication from CECAFA organizing committee requesting them to stage the tournament.
Nzamwita said that, “It’s not just a matter of writing a letter requesting us to host the games, because other nations have refused to host tournament. We need to sit down in a general assembly so that we discuss about it. We need the commitment from organizing committee.”
“Such a decision cannot just be taken abruptly because we need to plan for resources to host the event,” he added.
Rwanda has hosted the regional club championships four times in 2000, 2004, 2007 and 2014 while Tanzania and Sudan have hosted it 12 and 5 times respectively.