This archive report was first published on 22 July 2019.
Founded in 1926, the Council for East and Central African Football Federations (Cecafa) is the continent's oldest regional football body.
However, in recent years, Cecafa's tournaments have struggled to attract top teams and sponsors, leading to a decline in their appeal.
According to a report, the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, formerly known as the Gossage Cup, is the oldest regional football tournament involving senior national teams.
Despite its rich history, the tournament has fallen behind its peers in southern, northern, and western Africa, whose clubs and national teams have dominated continental championships.
One of the main reasons for Cecafa's decline is the poor organisation of its tournaments, which has led to a lack of sponsorship and over-reliance on a single sponsor.
As a result, teams have begun to shun Cecafa's tournaments, with many fielding second-string sides in the recent Cecafa Club Championship in Kigali.
Even Kenyan champions Gor Mahia and Tanzanian giants Simba and Yanga failed to participate, forcing organisers to invite guest teams.
With the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) held in Cairo coinciding with the Cecafa Club Championship, the timing of the tournament also played a role in its lack of appeal.
Now, Cecafa officials, led by secretary-general Nicholas Musonye, must explore ways of reviving the championship to attract top teams and sponsors.
That requires visionary leadership and better organisation, which would enable Cecafa tournaments to offer a good platform for clubs and national teams from the region to prepare for continental competitions and even win them with ease.
