Youth football development dominated discussions during Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA)’s 19th Ordinary General Assembly held on Saturday at Golden Tulip Hotel in Nyamata, Bugesera District.

The behind-the-curtains meeting attended by over 40 FERWAFA members discussed a number of issues namely, women football, financial Budget report, challenges faced by leagues but most importantly, football development.

FERWAFA president Vincent Nzamwita addressed journalists after the meeting, and said, "We have discussed a number of issues but the main point was a sustainable youth development plan, aimed at developing grassroots football through technical centres throughout the country.”

"The plan will include establishing, identifying and protecting both the boys’ and girls’ youth centres, legalising them, and training coaches and referees. The main aim is to start a youth league at the grassroots level that is regularly played as part of plans to develop football in Rwanda.”

He noted that the federation’s technical people will visit all technical centres later this year before holding a forum involving all stakeholders in the country for a discussion on the roadmap to ensure successful implementation of a longterm Youth Development Plan.

Technical centres

The plan will see all technical centres in Rwanda operating under the local football license and this will assist FERWAFA to fully support them. FERWAFA believes the plan is key to football growth.

All first and second divisions were urged to set up technical centres (boys and girls), which means establishing regular competitions.

Nzamwita said that the body had urged the general assembly to include women in football administration and to ensure that resolutions passed should be implemented for the good of football development in Rwanda.

Among other resolutions that were made include the establishment of an adhoc Committee to make amends and approve the financial report of the federation before it’s sent to the World Football body, FIFA.

The committee is comprised of Eric Ruhamiriza (ARAF), Jean Claude Gahigi (Bugesera FC), Saidat Mukanohelo (SC Kiyovu) and Walter Hunde Rubegasa (Rugende FC).

The assembley also approved a committee that is responsible to make amends and approve President’s Activity Report, comprised of Kanamugire Fidel (Heroes FC), Donatien Nsengimana (Esperance), Vedaste Ngendahayo (United Stars) and Joseph Nshimiye (AS Kigali).

Sorting out debts

It was agreed that members should stick to the existing 3-foreign players policy in the Rwanda National Football league despite request from members to have the rule adjusted to accommodate a 3-Plus foreign players rule.

The meeting also approved the payment of Rwf30 million towards the Agaciro Development Fund, which was set up to raise more domestic resources to help accelerate economic development.

That amount will be in addition to the Rwf4.2 million that the local football governing body paid in August 2015.

Nzamwita disclosed that FERWAFA had paid most of its outstanding debts, which include dues owed to Rwanda Social Security Board, Rwanda Revenue Authority and Alpha Palace Hotel.

"These were cases that required immediate attention. We have paid what we can manage and we hope to sort out the rest of the debts with time,” he explained.

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