• Ababu expressed optimism about the influence the tournament will have on accelerating talent development in the country.
•He further stated that the three countries will benefit immensely from upgraded infrastructure.
Image: FILE
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has challenged East African national football teams to train adequately for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The CS made the remarks upon his arrival after spearheading the East African Pamoja Bid in Cairo, Egypt.
"As we host this tournament, we expect several things including building formidable squads within the region. We don't just want to make the numbers. We want to compete effectively," Ababu said.
"That means that the Harambee Stars, the Taifa Stars, and the Uganda Cranes must now be prepared in a way that they have never done before for them to be competitive," he added.
Ababu expressed optimism about the influence the tournament will have on accelerating talent development in the country.
"Hosting this tournament is one way of developing football talent, developing football infrastructure, and establishing a culture of being part of this great tradition," Ababu said.
He further stated that the three countries will benefit immensely from upgraded infrastructure.
"Winning Afcon is also a trigger for accelerated development of our sporting infrastructure, a move that will benefit all sports. The Talanta Stadium will be the first East African customized football stadium without a racing track."
"Second, we want to use this opportunity to upgrade our sports infrastructure and bring it to the same level as the rest of Africa and the rest of the world.
"Thirdly, we will deploy the Africa Cup of Nations to strengthen the bonds of East African integration. When you talk about East Africa's integration, the ignition is the East African community. This is the only region that uses a single passport. This is a perfect opportunity for the bonds of the East African community to become even stronger.," he noted.
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) awarded the joint hosting rights for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations to Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania on Wednesday.
Caf President Patrice Motsepe on Wednesday proclaimed the East Africa Pamoja Bid as the winner of the right to organize the greatest African football extravaganza.