Khartoum, Sudan, Feb. 6, GNA - The Local Organising

Committee (LOC) of the Sudan 2011 African Nations

Championship (CHAN) has set sights on hosting a tournament

that will last in the minds of all. Africa's largest country might not seem the best place to host

the second edition of the tournament designed exclusively for

footballers playing in their country of birth, with its synonymy with

media reports of political instability amongst others.

However, Dr Moaatesem Gaafar, President of the Sudan

Football Association (SFA) and a member of the LOC told GNA

Sports in Khartoum on Saturday that the expected success story

will serve the meal for a revised thought about the country. Sudan who last hosted a continental football championship in

1970 (Africa Cup of Nations) emerged the winners, and the

decision to stage the CHAN forms part of the planning and

development of the country.

The 2011 CHAN comes with a lot of challenges in terms of

infrastructure and organizational demands with an increase in the

number of participants from eight to 16, but Dr Gaafar has allayed

all fears saying they will meet the mark. "It's been long since we hosted a major football and I believe

this tournament will be the beginning of hosting more important

football events in the near future. "We also renovated and improved facilities at the Al-Hilal, Al

-Mariekh and Port-Sudan Stadia for the tournament." The tournament has led to series of development in the various

sectors of the Sudanese economy ranging from accommodation,

transportation, communication and amongst others. Upon on arrival at the Khartoum International Airport, one will

be received by the help desk just at the entry point for the

processing of visas. For accredited media, the visa is processed at

no cost and lasts not more than five minutes.

A stroll through the capital will reveal such modifications with

accommodation readily available at plush hotels such as Burj Al

Fateh on the Nile Road, Regency Hotel, Hilton and Holiday Villa. The logo and mascot of the tournament reflects on huge

billboards along the street, at supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and

local food joints confirming the huge enthusiasm in the

tournament. The tournament that runs rill February 25 has the DR Congo as

the defending champions.