We’re on track to hold successful AYC-Cocan

With just one day before Rwanda hosts the 16th African Youth Championship, the Local Organising Committee (Cocan) is adamant that the event will be a success. The Cocan spokesman Jules Kalisa told Times Sport Thursday that everything concerning the continental youth championship is set.

Friday, January 16, 2009
WE ARE READY: Cocan spokesman Jules Kalisa(C) taking sports scribes on a guided tour of the championship facilities.

With just one day before Rwanda hosts the 16th African Youth Championship, the Local Organising Committee (Cocan) is adamant that the event will be a success.

The Cocan spokesman Jules Kalisa told Times Sport Thursday that everything concerning the continental youth championship is set.

"Renovation on the match stadiums has been finalized. We have dealt with all the issues that we had,” Kalisa said, adding that there is an overall commitment to make the event a success.

Kalisa further added that they have also implemented some projects to involve Rwandan people in the event.

Among the projects named include; recruiting volunteers, who will assist foreign delegations taking part in the two-week long championship. Meanwhile, the two stadiums which will host the tournament have been declared ready to be used.

Both Amahoro and Nyamirambo have undergone a professional face-lift and are ready to host the two-week long championship which will attract eight countries.

The stadiums have had new developments like erection of new turnstiles, installation of electronic scoreboards and sound systems, construction of new and advanced changing rooms among others.

Renovation at Amahoro stadium which was undertaken by a South African construction firm Rematla Earth Works will see the stadium’s crowd rise to a 25,000 seater-capacity.

The reconstruction of Nyamirambo stadium which is estimated to have cost about Frw1.5 billion with the $350,000 artificial turf laid into the stadium will have a 15,000 seater-capacity.

Meanwhile, Remera, Mumena, Kicukiro Gatenga, Cercle Sportif and Riviera high school grounds have been set aside as training stadiums for participating countries.

The seven visiting teams, which include; Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon and Mali have already checked in their respective hotels.

Ends