Mini-exhibitions have been organised at all the venues that will host CHAN games in Huye, Rubavu and Kigali.

According to Julianne Uwacu, the Minister for Sports and Culture, the ministry, in partnership with the Private Sector Federation (PSF), organised side events where small-and-medium (SMEs) businesses can exhibit and showcase their products during the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament that kicks off today.

Uwacu said the three-week championship presents SMEs and big businesses huge opportunities, which they should take advantage of to boost sales.

"It is an event for the whole region. Besides hotels, cabs, sports shops, as well as entertainers and artists, all stand to reap big from the tournament. They only need to be more organised and offer a good service to benefit from it,” she told The New Times this week.

She added that the ministry had partnered with the industry, "because our vision as a country is to have a robust private sector”. "We cannot achieve this unless we work hand-in-hand with the sector…we worked with PSF from the beginning. Besides, all the hotels that are hosting guests, those providing transport and other services were all outsourced from the private sector. We couldn’t say we are ready if the private sector was not ready,” she said.

She noted that it is encouraging that Rwandans are looking at the tournament as an opportunity for them, not only as a government event.

"The biggest beneficiaries from the championship will not be the large businesses, it will be the small-and-medium enterprises. It is an opportunity for them,” she added.

Already traders have been displaying their merchandise, including Amuvubi T-shirts, African-themed designs and artifacts, as well as Rwanda’s souvenirs like bangles, armlets and earrings, in the vicinity of all the CHAN venues to cash-in on the expected huge numbers of football fans.

Hosting big sports events is more than sports, it is business, many said.

Entertainment spots, like bars, nights clubs, small eateries and roadside vendors, have not been left behind as they restocked merchandise ahead of the big event.

Thomas Twahirwa, the operators of Nganda Weke Weke bar, said Rwandan businesses should take advantage of the tournament and make more money, noting that they are ready for the tourney.

"We are hoping many people will attend the CHAN tournament as it is the second biggest football event on the continent. We (Rwandans) have to make sure that we make the best of it,” he said.

He added that the businesses had more than trippled their stock in readiness of the expected increase in the number of patrons. He urged businesses to show the highest level of customer service and cleanliness to ensure that clients are comfortable.

"We thought it is wise to also increase the number of workers to ensure excellent service delivery. We want to treat these CHAN clients in a special way,” Twahirwa added.

Meanwhile, some people have said that there has not been enough sensitisation about the tournament. But Kampire, the manager of The Point Business Centre, says the biggest problem is the lack of enough capital to invest in the championship.

She, however, said they have made local products, like fabrics, table covers, and African cloths to sell to CHAN visitors.

The African Nations Championship (CHAN) runs through February 7. The continental showpiece attracts 16 teams, featuring players who play in their domestic leagues.

Rwanda is hosting the tournament for the first time, and the government has invested Rwf16 billion in preparations.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw