ADDIS ABABA: President Taye Atske Selassie has called upon the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to support Ethiopia’s bid to host the 2029 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), emphasizing the country’s commitment to leveraging sports for national development.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, President Taye addressed the CAF 46th Ordinary General Assembly in Addis Ababa, highlighting Ethiopia as the continent’s second most populous nation with a youthful demographic, as 70 percent of its population is under the age of 30. He underscored the role of sports in Ethiopia’s national strategy to harness this demographic dividend. The President detailed Ethiopia’s significant investments in sports infrastructure, including the construction of new stadiums and the renovation of existing facilities, as part of a broader initiative offering multidimensional benefits.
Ethiopia, which has formally submitted its application to host the AFCON tournament, is undertaking various preparatory activities. President Taye ex
pressed the country’s anticipation of providing exceptional experiences for teams, fans, and stakeholders, should it be selected as the host nation. He appealed to CAF to lend its endorsement to Ethiopia’s bid, emphasizing the nation’s historical role in African football development and its passion for the sport.
Esayas Jira, President of the Ethiopian Football Federation, reiterated Ethiopia’s rich football history, noting that the country hosted AFCON three times and won the trophy in 1962. He affirmed the government’s commitment to the 2029 hosting, citing the construction of 11 stadiums as evidence of Ethiopia’s dedication to rekindling its football legacy. Esayas emphasized the nation’s desire to reclaim its foundational role in African football as a CAF founding member and to offer its people the electrifying experience of AFCON once more.