The news fell like a bolt from the blue in sports and tourism circles. Senegal, football country par excellence and recent African champion, will not be a candidate for the organization of CAN 2029. This decision, revealed by the newspaper Les Echoscaused immense disappointment among both football fans and the hotel sector.
In a statement, the Minister of Sports justified this withdrawal for purely logistical reasons: “Senegal is not in a position, for the moment, to organize a CAN. We don’t have the infrastructure. We are not yet up to standard. » An announcement that sounds like a cold shower for those who hoped to see the country of Teranga shine once again on the continental scene, but this time as host.
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The organization of such an event would have been a major opportunity to strengthen sports infrastructure and boost the tourism sector, particularly the hotel industry, which would have benefited from a considerable influx of visitors. Many hotel establishments were counting on this event to revive their activity, already weakened by the impacts of the health crisis.
However, this decision also highlights the structural challenges Senegal faces in terms of sports infrastructure. Despite recent stadium renovations and construction, the country still seems far from the standards required to host a continental competition of this scale.
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