Nairobi — As the curtains go up on Wednesday to usher in the 17th Senior Africa Athletics Championship in Nairobi, doubts still linger over the host of the next event in 2012.

Kenya edged out Benin 10-9 votes in Dakar, Senegal during the Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) council meeting to secure the rights to stage the 2010 championship.

Benin won the rights to organise the 2012 edition but with only two years left before the next edition, CAA president Hamad Kalkaba Malboum said they are having problems ascertaining Benin as the next host due to lack of guarantees from the West African government.

Malboum told a news conferenc after a CAA council meeting in Nairobi that Morocco, South Africa and Egypt have been lined uip as possible replacements should Benin not meet the requirements.

CAA had to send Malboum on three occasions to Nairobi to try and convince the government to support the championship.

"You remember how hard it was for Kenya. Now you can see the fruits, all these equipment will remain here to develop new talent. That is why we must get the same backing from Benin before confirming them," said Malboum.

"We are already in talks with countries that have the facilities already. We can only think of a place where they will not need to buy new equipment or make major adjustment," said Malboum.

CAA also resolved to support Dakar and Rabat Athletics meetings, which are currently part of the IAAF World Challenge, to be included in the Samsung Diamond League.

The 14-leg circuit has no round in Africa and CAA is pressing for the two legs to be included.

South Africa was also confirmed at the meeting as the hosts of the inaugural Africa Cross Country championships.