Delft to host mobilisation tournament in run-up to CHAN
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) will be hosting a Orange African Nations Championship (CHAN) mobilisation tournament at the Delft Sports Complex on 9 January 2014 from 8h30 to 14h30.
The day will be dedicated to mobilising 16 communities within the Western Cape in order to make them aware of the CHAN Tournament that will kick off on 11 January 2014.
The African Nations Championship (sometimes referred to as African Championship of Nations or CHAN) is a football tournament which was first announced on 11 September 2007. It is administered by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and is played between the best national teams of Africa, exclusively featuring players who are active in the national championships and qualified to play in the on-going season. Expatriate players, regardless of where they play, even in Africa, may not qualify to take part in the African Championship of Nations.
The first tournament was held in 2009. It was hosted by Côte d'Ivoire and won by The Democratic Republic of the Congo. The competition was expanded to 16 teams for the second tournament, held in Sudan in 2011. The tournament was won by Tunisia, in the wake of the Tunisian Revolution. The tournament is held every two years, alternating with the Africa Cup of Nations. The qualifying phase has taken place every even year and the final every odd year. From now on it has swapped years with Africa Cup of Nations.
It is our aim to activate the 16 communities before the kick-off of the CHAN Tournament. The mobilisation is to draw communities together and to promote camaraderie not just within the Western Cape Province but in and around Africa as well. It is to promote soccer at a grassroots level and let underprivileged children excel.
All members of the media are invited to attend.
Media enquiries:
Annerie Pruis-Le Roux
Acting Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9730
E-mail: annerie.pruis@westerncape.gov.za
