Country also merits hosting CAN 2016 URUGWIRO VILLAGE - Issa Hayatou, the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) yesterday paid a courtesy call on President Paul Kagame, at Urugwiro Village, from where he hinted at the prospect of Rwanda hosting the Under 17 games in 2011. Hayatou, who is in the country for the duration of the on-going 16th Under 20 African Youth Championships (AYC), stressed that he had consulted the President on their coming back in two years’ time to make arrangements for the U-17 African championship. This, he pointed out, meant that they (CAF) were well aware of what has been accomplished.
Country also merits hosting CAN 2016
URUGWIRO VILLAGE - Issa Hayatou, the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) yesterday paid a courtesy call on President Paul Kagame, at Urugwiro Village, from where he hinted at the prospect of Rwanda hosting the Under 17 games in 2011.
Hayatou, who is in the country for the duration of the on-going 16th Under 20 African Youth Championships (AYC), stressed that he had consulted the President on their coming back in two years’ time to make arrangements for the U-17 African championship. This, he pointed out, meant that they (CAF) were well aware of what has been accomplished.
This year’s U-17 African Championship is scheduled to be held in Algeria in March while the 2011 game’s host is yet to be officially announced.
Hayatou was also emphatic that apart from the U-17 championship, Rwanda merits hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in 2016.
"You merit it,” he noted, drawing inspiration from the well prepared AYC currently underway.
He stressed his belief that there is willingness by those in charge – the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) and the Ministry of Sports and Culture – to see the country hosting the "big” event – CAN.
"But that is something else, it is in six years,” he observed, and further pointed out that the Confederation will pay "lots of attention” to Rwanda’s candidature (to host CAN 2016) when the time comes.
The CAF chief was accompanied by the Sports Minister Joseph Habineza, who shed more light on their discussions with the President and, Rwanda’s chances of hosting other competitions as well as the next CAN.
"The President thanked them for having brought this competition here but they also thanked him for the way they have been well received, be it by Rwandans, leaders and fans at large,” Habineza said.
"They also talked about their earlier request for us to host the U-17 and the President agreed.”
The Minister underlined that CAF’s request for the country to host the U-17 was welcomed and endorsed by the President who called for its immediate consideration and preparation.
Hayatou was in the company of both his Vice President Gen. Seyi Memene and President of the Youth Council Slim Alolou.
Ends