The long-term development of football in east Africa received a substantial boost with the inauguration of a new FIFA Regional Development Office in Kigali, Rwanda, following a signature and opening ceremony that included FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from Rwanda, Vincent Biruta, the Minister of Sports, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju and the President of the Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA) Jean-Damascene Sekamana.
Other football dignitaries were also in attendance, including the President of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), Wallace Karia, Célestin Yanindji, President of the Central African Republic Football Association, and Presidents of FIFA member associations from the region.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Rwanda (Photo credit: Simon Wohlfahrt - AFP)
“I would like to thank President Paul Kagame and the Rwandan government for facilitating the opening of this office, as it sets the scene for us at FIFA level to be able to help all the associations at the regional level to develop football,” the FIFA President said. “Infrastructure, competitions, development and education, these are the key areas which FIFA is focused on, and the task of this office will be to implement the FIFA Forward programme in the region.
"This means to support the development, to coordinate the programme, to help organise competitions for boys and girls, to foster women’s football, to ensure that the investment that FIFA is making is channelled in the right place, and to make sure that east African football will shine on the international stage. The talent is here. The passion is here.And together with the federations and the governments in this part of the world, we are creating the conditions for a better future.”
In 2017, FIFA took the decision to establish FIFA Regional Development Offices around the world in order to better serve its member associations and to be closer to their needs. Four of these offices are located in Africa, namely Dakar in Senegal, Johannesburg in South Africa and the soon to be inaugurated one in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.
“The Rwandan Football Association is grateful for the establishment of this office in the region, which proves the extent of FIFA’s commitment to the development of football in Africa, and we are profoundly grateful that Kigali has been chosen to be the home of this FIFA Regional Development Office,” said FERWAFA President, Jean-Damascene Sekamana. “We are extremely thankful for the Government of Rwanda and FIFA for reaching an agreement to host the regional office in Rwanda. By approving this agreement, the Government of Rwanda demonstrated its visionary leadership and its objective to gradually achieve an acceptable living standard for society through all sectors, including football and sports, in general.”
Subsequently, the FIFA President met with the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, to discuss the development of football in the country and in the region.
“I was delighted to meet Mr Kagame again. He is a truly devoted football fan who is committed to promoting sport and football as a symbol of peace and means to drive important social values, especially among the young people in the community,” the FIFA President said. “From FIFA’s perspective, we are also appreciative of the support that the Rwanda government is giving FERWAFA and football locally. It is helping to build solid foundations for football in Rwanda to prosper.”