The adequacy of hotel accommodation in Maun village as the centre of tourism for Botswana has triggered the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Bid Committee to consider hosting the final games of the tournament in the tourism capital should the bid succeed.
Giving a presentation at the North West District full council meeting recently, the committee’s Secretariat Geoffrey Gare revealed that Maun has been identified as one the locations preferred for hosting the final games of the AFCON 2027 because of its adequate hotel accommodation.
Gare stated that they are aware that Maun Sports Complex is not in good condition as such if they win the bid, they will then be required to build a 15 000-seater stadium so that the games can successfully be hosted in Maun.
This is one of the planned amenities that followed the official signing of Memorandum of Agreement on the 9th of June 2022 to jointly bid for the 2027 African Cup of Nations dubbed BONA 2027 by the governments of Botswana and Namibia.
Gare noted that they are still awaiting the commencement of the facilities audit that will be conducted by experts who will consult relevant stakeholders and deliver the exercise.
He stated that after the facilities audit, they will compile a bid book which is an expression of interest by joint bidders to express their readiness in terms of hosting the tournament.
Gare noted that after the facilities audit have been concluded they will approach the NWDC to share requirements based on audit report so that the council can deliver in terms of the infrastructure that is required to host the tournament. He said that the establishment of the stadium goes along with the accessibility of good roads therefore more developments will have to be established in Maun.
According to Gare one of the reasons for the bid is to position Botswana as a destination of conferencing and sport tourism. He said that hosting the tournament locally will enable tourists to see the wonderland of the Okavango Delta and the Chobe area. He indicated that the games will obviously increase the revenue that Botswana receives through the tourism industry.
“Hosting the tournament in Maun will catalyse or speed up the developments that Maun community has been looking for in terms of the expansion of the roads and health facilities,” said Gare.
That as it may, Gare revealed that they intend to advocate for one of the CAF Annual Executive Committee meetings to be held in Botswana so that they can use it as opportunity to present their bid to the attendants.
