A new chapter for East and Central African football has officially begun following the formal handover ceremony held today, marking the start of Paulos Weldehaimanot’s tenure as the President of the Council of East Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA).
The ceremony, which saw the transfer of power to the Eritrean football administrator, marks a pivotal moment for the regional football governing body as it seeks to strengthen competition, grassroots development, and international representation for its member associations, including Uganda’s FUFA.
President Weldehaimanot takes over at a time when East African football is on an upward trajectory. With the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania (Pamoja Bid), the role of CECAFA has never been more critical.
During the handover, the new President emphasized the need for unity among the 12 member nations and a renewed focus on youth and women’s football tournaments, which have long been the backbone of CECAFA’s activities.
Congratulations to Paulos Weldehaimanot on this exciting new role! It’s fantastic to see a strong leader stepping up for CECAFA.