Football Kenya Federation now requires double the budget to successfully host 2018 Chan competition, according to FKF boss, Nick Mwendwa.
Previously, the Local Organising Committee tabled a Sh2.7 billion budget for the event slated for January, 2018. But FKF boss now says that they require Sh4.8 billion to successfully host the event whose fate still hangs in the balance due to poor preparedness by the host. “At the moment we have a budget of Sh4.8 billion. That is our budget now and it may even shoot up," Mwendwa told Goal in an interview.
“Remember that construction of the stadium is the work of Sports Kenya (government). The civil works. Building change rooms etc, that is not our work. Our role revolves around beautification of the tournament. Lighting, broadcasting and maintaining the grass. All these will be done in five stadia across the country.”
Mwendwa added, "Compare this to the Sh3.1 billion budget for IAAF championship (World Youth Championship) - then five stadia hosting 16 teams is Sh4.8 billion...”
Mwendwa said that construction work is expected to begin latest by July 10 but admits a lot of work will be required at Machakos (Kenyatta), Nyayo and Kip Keino (Eldoret). “We are still engaging the government to release the money but we would prefer to give contractors purchase order - that will be a sign that there is money.
“By end of this week, we will have identified the contractors to start the work on the project."
Kasarani and Kinoru are the only venue which have so far received a thumps up to host the games.