The biggest sports event ever to be held on Rwandan soil will kick off this Saturday, January 16.

The CHAN football extravaganza will see 16 teams, including host Rwanda, battle it out on the field for three weeks to determine the winner of the ultimate prize.

But as part of activities to make the event memorable, HOBE agency, in partnership with Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Ministry of Sports and Culture, have joined hands to ensure that visitors get a feel of what Rwanda has to offer in terms of its vibrant culture, attractions and entertainment.

Raoul Rugamba, the head of HOBE agency, said they are also collaborating with other creative industry sector players like Positive Vibrations, KigaliUp, and Afro Groove to make the duration of the tournament enjoyable to the visitors.

He said that musicians will stage shows to entertain visitors in towns where the event is going be held.

"Our main aim is to entertain people who’ll be flocking here during the tournament. We also want to showcase our rich and compelling culture, and to take visitors around the country to see our rich flora and fauna,” said Rugamba.

Rugamba said these activities will officially begin on Saturday; the same day when host Rwanda will be playing the opening game against Africa football giants, Ivory Coast.

Rugamba said that they will organise two parallel themes. The first one, dubbed Meet Our Culture will involve artists, craftsmen and entertainers, like musicians.

"These exhibitions and entertainment events are not just going to be restricted to the four venues where football activities are going to take place. We have set up places like Car Free Zone in the city centre where artists will be exhibiting their crafts,” explained Rugamba.

The second one is Meet Rwanda, where visitors will have a chance to visit the country’s tourist attraction sites like the volcanoes and museums among other ‘must visit’ places in the country.

Rugamba said the aim of Meet Rwanda is to not only to induct the visitors to experience what Rwanda has to offer, but is also a step in the right direction to take advantage of the continental event to market Rwanda to potential tourists.

"When these visitors come here and see the beauty and hospitality of our country, the multiplier effect is that they’ll always love to come back. We want to give them a reason to come back, and use them to market Rwanda when they go back to their respective countries. This is going to be good for tourism,” he said.

Rwanda is in Group A along with Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco and Gabon. This group will be based at Amahoro national stadium.

Rwanda is the fourth country to host Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) after Cote d’Ivoire in 2009, Sudan in 2011 and South Africa 2014.

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