Cote D’Ivoire spends 11 million USD on CHAN

African Nations Championship (CHAN)

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) has revealed that it has so far spent a whooping 5.5 billion CFA Franc (about 11 million US dollars) on the organization of the maiden edition of the championship.

Jacques Anouma, Chairman of COCHAN who revealed this to the GNA Sports in an interview in Abidjan on Monday, said much of the finances were devoted to the renovation of the two stadia for the tournament, the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan and the Stade de la Paix, Boauke.

The COCHAN Chairman who doubles as the President of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) said the fact that the competition was comparable to the main African Cup of Nations, means that it deserves equal attention and resources as the flagship event.

“We tried not to spend too much, but it is virtually comparable to the main African Cup of Nations.

“Our target was to organize a competition that will last in the minds of all.”

Anouma also commended the Laurent Gbagbo-led government for the tremendous support it gave towards the organization of the tournament.

“The government has been very supportive with respect to the organization. They ensured our all our (COCHAN) needs were satisfied.”

The CHAN is a version of the African Cup of Nations, designed exclusively for footballers plying their trade in their respective domestic leagues.

Eight nations are participating in the maiden edition currently ongoing in Cote D'Ivoire.

The semi-finals scheduled for Wednesday' will see Ghana playing Senegal in Bouake whilst Zambia host DR Congo in Abidjan.