The world football governing body, Fifa has injected $400, 000 (about Frw221 millions) into the Amavubi academy of excellence which is scheduled to open in January next year.

This was said by Fifa Technical Director Jean Michel Benezet during a press conference held yesterday at Ferwafa head-quarters in Remera.

Benezet said that the package which is financed by Fifa’s Goal Project will help in running the activities of the academy to enable a successful future of local players at the highest level.

"Fifa will offer this (sponsorship) package until 2011 to run the academy activities and after that Ferwafa will be able to run it (academy)

"The establishment of the Amavubi academy will be a turning point for Rwandan football,” Benezet said, adding that the project is meant to develop talented youngsters and prepare them for a bright future.

According to Benezet, the missions of this ambitious project include encouraging players to reach and maintain a high standard as well as promoting an improvement in the standard of Rwandan football in general.

As is the case for every ambitious sporting project, the Amavubi academy is born of the dreams and determination of certain individuals.

Benezet said that the main objective is to bring talented young footballers to the training centre to provide them with both football training and educational development.

A yet to be named Switzerland football expert from Fifa will offer training lessons at the academy, which will start in January and break-off in October 2011.

The number of players who will join the academy will be 30 including four goal keepers and players born in 1994 or exceptionally in 1995 will be eligible to join the "academy of excellence”.

The Fifa grant will help in meeting the essential requirements for the academy which include accommodation, leisure facilities, training infrastructures, scouting and selection of talented players, transportation and sports equipment.

The Amavubi "academy of excellence” is the first of its nature in Africa and will equip younger players with theoretical and physical techniques in football.

The $700,000 football complex was partly constructed at the funding of Fifa who contributed $450.000 and Ferwafa ($250.000) while the government provided the plot.

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