At beginning of the New Year Rwanda hosted the African Youth Championship and it has been pencilled in to host the 2011 U-17 championship and the country hosted the Fiba Africa Zone V qualifiers that concluded yesterday.

Not least because international federations that award the bids have now become so concerned about helping Rwanda improve her international image after the happenings of 1994; and Rwanda is the best country with the facilities to host, such events.

These international bodies aren’t so keen to help groups and organisations that want to improve or increase the sporting opportunities on offer to the community. This tells of the great strides that Rwanda has taken to free itself from the shackles of the past.

Stories are told of Caf officials who graced the African U-17 championship present in Rwanda during the African Youth Championship. This talks volumes, they wanted to see for themselves the level of development that the once no go zone has reached.

Quoting Caf president Issa Hayatou , "You have made Africa proud by hosting a successful championship and for that matter start enhancing preparations for the 2011 U-17 African Youth Championship.”

"I would not like to make a comparison of how past events were organised but this year’s event was organised beyond our imaginations.

"I have been impressed with the way President Paul Kagame is being involved in football and this is why Rwanda has improved in football of recent.

"We are happy with the organization and management of this year’s U-20 Championship and we are coming in two year’s time for the Caf U-17 tournament whatsoever.”

Hayatou said and hailed whoever was involved in the preparation of this tournament including Sports Ministry, Ferwafa and Rwandans at large.

Achieving success in sport brings wonderful self-esteem, recognition and personal achievement. Unfortunately it can often be expensive due to costs involved but its worth investing in.

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