First phase

Gatsibo: Today

Boys: Gatisbo vs Centre Footbalistic Training

Girls: Abarashi vs Rugarama

Nyanza: Sunday

Boys: Gihisi vs Mugandamure

Girls: Nyanza vs Gatagara

Rwanda Football  Federation (Ferwafa) needs Rwf700m to run the U-15 football league which kicks off this afternoon in Gatsibo District

World Football Governing body (Fifa) gave Ferwafa a grant of US$35,000 (about Rwf24.85m) for the smooth running of the championship which will run for nine months.

Ferwafa is still sourcing for sponsorship from the Ministry of Sports, Airtel, MTN, Tigo, Bralirwa, Skol, Private Sector Federation and Rwanda Revenue Authority.

Up to 73 teams will take part in the competition including 53 in the boy’s category and 21 in girl’s category. The games will be played in Gatsibo, Nyanza, Rubavu, Kicukiro this month, and in Nyarugenge, Musanze, Nyamagabe and Kayonza in March.

From October to December, the competition will head to Gasabo, Nyabihu, Rusizi, and Rwamagana.

From February to April next year, the competition will be played in Gicumbi, Rulindo, Huye and Nyagatare.

 "The competition is aimed at promoting and developing grassroots football and detecting talent across the country,” Ferwafa’s technical director Lee Johnson said.

The U-15 football project was founded by the international football body, Fifa and will continue for the next eight years.