FIFA Regional Development Office inaugurated in Kigali

The long-term development of football in East Africa has received a substantial boost with the inauguration of a new FIFA Regional Development Office (www.FIFA.com) in Kigali, Rwanda, following ” a signing and opening ceremony which brought together the president of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda, Vincent Biruta, the Minister of Sports, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju and the President of the Rwandan Football Federation (FERWAFA ) Jean-Damascene Sekamana.

Other football dignitaries were also present, including the president of the Central African Football Federation (CECAFA), Wallace Karia, Célestin Yanindji, president of the Central African Football Federation and the presidents of the FOFA member associations in the region.

“I would like to thank President Paul Kagame and the Rwandan government for facilitating the opening of this office, because it prepares us at FIFA level to be able to help all associations at regional level to develop football,” FIFA Says President. “Infrastructure, competitions, development and education, these are the key areas on which FIFA focuses, and the task of this office will be to implement the FIFA Forward program in the region.

“This means supporting development, coordinating the program, helping to organize competitions for boys and girls, promoting women’s football, ensuring that the investment that FIFA makes is channeled to the right place and ensuring that Africa From the East, football will shine on the international stage. The talent is there. The passion is there. And with the federations and governments of this part of the world, we are creating the conditions for a better future.

In 2017, FIFA made the decision to create FIFA regional development offices around the world 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 next to be inaugurated in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

“The Rwandan Football Federation is grateful for the establishment of this office in the region, which demonstrates the extent of FIFA’s commitment to the development of football in Africa, and we are deeply grateful that Kigali has been chosen. to host this regional FIFA headquarters. Development Office ”, declared FERWAFA President Jean-Damascene Sekamana. “We are extremely grateful to the government of Rwanda and to FIFA for reaching an agreement to host the regional office in Rwanda. By approving this agreement, the Rwandan government has demonstrated its visionary leadership and its objective to gradually achieve a standard of living acceptable to society in all sectors, including football and sport in general.

Afterwards, 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 see Mr. Kagame again. He is a truly dedicated football fan who is committed to promoting sport and football as a symbol of peace and a way to promote important social values, especially among the youth of the community ”, said the President. of FIFA. “From FIFA’s point of view, we also appreciate the support the Rwandan government gives to FERWAFA and to football locally. It helps to lay a solid foundation for football in Rwanda to prosper. “