THE Council for East and Central Africa Football Association (Cecafa) have turned to Saudi billionaire Sheikh Mohammed Ali Al Amoudi to rescue the region’s Senior Challenge Cup after original sponsors Gateway Television (GTV) shut down operations early this year.

Cecafa are hoping Al Amoudi, who has previously funded Africa’s oldest football competition will once again fund the tournament, slated for November in Kenya.

Following the collapse of GTV, the tournament was uncertain, but Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye has revealed that talks are on-going to bring the Saudi business man on board.

"We are discussing figures. He is very ready to help us out,” Musonye told The East African recently.

"The collapse of GTV affected our plans but we are committed to hosting the competition.”

Al Amoudi sponsored the Challenge Cup between 2004-2007 offering $1.5 million over the period.

Al Amoudi, an Ethiopian resident is ranked as the country’s richest person. 

Last year, Forbes magazine rated him as the 77th richest person in the world with a net worth of $9 billion while this year, he was ranked 43rd.

Al Moudi made his fortune in construction and real estate before branching out to oil refineries in Sweden and Morocco.

He is said to be the largest foreign investor in Sweden and Ethiopia.

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