After resigning as Rayon Sports manager, Rene Kalimunda has shifted his focus to kids’ football through youth development program.

And away from that, but this time in regards to senior football, Rayon have warned rivals APR Fc to forget about the prospect of signing Haruna Niyonzima.

Already with a total of 20 children aged between six and 18, the former Rwandan international centre back has set up a youth development centre.

The centre is called Kigali Champions Place (KCP) based at Kimihurura football grounds and according to Kalimunda; it will officially go fully operational next Saturday a week. Asked why he went into kids’ football and not looking for a big club to coach, he said.

"I was a player myself, therefore, I’m doing this (start developing young talents) as my contribution to the development of football in my country.”

"This country has loads of young talents that only need to be unearthed, which is what I want to do with the help of other local coaches with whom I need to work hand in hand.”

Kalimunda spent his entire career as a player and part-time coach at his childhood club until he parted company with the Blues in July because of irreconcilable differences with some of the club top managers.

He said, "I had to leave Rayon for serious reason and now that is in the past. All mi want to concentrate on is see who best I can contribute to football in this country through youth development.”

Besides being the club manager, the soft spoken ex-international coached Rayon on interim basis during the 2005/6 season and guided the club to a 15-match unbeaten run, winning 12 and drawing three.

And he was instrumental in bringing several foreign players to the club including Labama Bokota from Vita Fc of Kisangani (DR Congo), goalkeeper Lawrence Webo from Mumias Sugar (Kenya) as well as Kenyan striker John Baraza from Yanga African (Tanzania).

He also denied claims that he once tried to have Bokota sign for rivals Atraco before he played his first game for Rayon in July.

"It was me who wrote the letter to Vita asking for his (Bokota) ITC and it was me who filled in the forms for his local license from Ferwafa, now how do I turn a round and want him to join another club,” he wondered.

Hands off Haruna, Rayon warns APR

Meanwhile, Rayon top officials have slapped a ‘Not for Sale’ tag on midfielder Niyonzima in order to wave off APR approaches.

The 18-year old who is currently leading the U-18 national team for a training tour of Germany, has become a fixture on the senior Amavubi Stars team, became a free agent at the end of last season after two years with Rayon.

And it is widely reported that the local and regional champions are on the verge of baiting him with a bigger deal this time round after missing out on him two seasons ago when he opted for Rayon from Etincelles.

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