The real winners? The host nation

Article - August 12, 2011

Gabon is revving up to enter the limelight as a co-host of the continent’s most important sporting event: the African Cup of Nations (CAN)

CAN 2012 will be a huge occasion for Gabon, as the soccer tournament will highlight the country in the eyes of not just Africa but the world. However, no matter how long the euphoria stays afloat after the matches, the real long-lasting effects will be the ones that will help Gabon to develop its economy.

“The African Nation Cup is a unique opportunity for a country,” says Rene Adiaheno, President of the Organizing Committee of the African Nation Cup (COCAN) in Gabon. “It is a real development project. We take advantage of the immediate need of infrastructure and sport facilities to develop. Gabon will have now two stadiums of 40,000 places each, Franceville will have one, we will have training centers. CAN is also building or renovating our road network, modernizing our communication equipment, and offering more choice and better standards in terms of accommodation.”