Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei has signalled cooperation between Kenya and Qatar in sports medicine as the country prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, Sing’Oei said Kenya was deliberately pursuing partnerships that could support the tournament, set to be jointly hosted with Uganda and Tanzania from June 19 to July 17 next year.

“As Kenya gears up to host AFCON next year, we are intentionally forging partnerships critical to the success of the event,” the PS wrote.

His remarks came after he visited the Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Doha during an official trip to Qatar this week.

📌 What You Need to Know

According to the PS, the facility is a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence and an International Olympic Committee Research Centre focused on injury prevention and athlete health.

“At the end of my visit to Doha, Qatar, I toured Aspire Zone-based Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, an accredited FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence and a recognised International Olympic Committee Research Centre for the Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health, and was received by the Acting Director General, Khalid Ali Al Mawlawi,” the statement read.

The visit is part of Kenya’s efforts to bolster athlete welfare and sports medicine ahead of the continental tournament , although Sing’Oei did not disclose how the partnership would align with AFCON’s existing medical framework.

According to its official website, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has a medical division that provides medical services at its competitions while overseeing areas including injury prevention, doping control and player health protection.

Its programmes include pre-competition medical assessments, cardiac screening, injury monitoring and measures aimed at reducing health risks among players.

The preparations come as construction continues on the Raila Odinga Talanta International Stadium, while the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) plans an 18.9-kilometre road network to improve movement ahead of the anticipated increase in traffic during the tournament .

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke