It’s now official, all topflight division clubs, as a must, ought to have junior teams for the coming years, starting next season, Ferwafa has said.

According to arrangements emanating from the local football ruling body, the juniors would be playing in matches preceding their senior counterparts.

The system, which is only being reinstated after it was scrapped for last season, is for the purposes of youth development.

Ferwafa Chief Executive officer said, "We’re not doing this just for the sake of it, but because it was part of our (Ferwafa administration) original plans as a way of encouraging youth football.”

"Like it was before (last season), all first division clubs must have junior teams.

It’s not a request, it’s an obligation and all (clubs) have been notified about it officially,” Jules Kalisa disclosed.

In a letter to all (first division) club presidents/chairmen dated October 19, which Times Sport has obtained a copy, Ferwafa informs the clubs about the ‘not new’ development.

"Like we wrote to you in our letter No.500, dated October 8 informing you about the dates on which the 2007/08 season would start, we’re grateful to inform that each club is supposed to have a junior side, that would be playing before the seniors,” the letter read in parts.

A Ferwafa and Mijespoc initiative The system is an initiative of Ferwafa in collaboration with the ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports who hand-in-hand are going to be its financiers.

In the letter, signed by Kalisa, Ferwafa adds, "In collaboration with Ferwafa and the Sports ministry, it’s a pleasure to assure you of support in that regard.”

The CEO signed off, urging the respective clubs to endeavor to respect the federation rules and regulations in setting up the junior teams.

In an interview at his office on Monday, Kalisa confirmed that indeed all the concerned clubs have received the notice and that he expects them to respond positively. 

He said, "This is the only way we are going to promote youth development.

If each club sets up a junior side made up of only Rwandese young players, only the sky will be limit.”

As part of the deal (for lack of words), both Ferwafa and Mijespoc would specifically be providing meals, transport as well as meeting the coaches’ wages for all junior teams.

Third division to be established During the same interview, Kalisa revealed that, to supplement the idea of junior teams (first division) and the second divisions, the federation plans to establish a third division, starting next February.

"Everything is being worked out so that this thing (third division) gets underway next year; actually, we’re planning to start it in February (to be precise),” he emphasized.

According to their (Ferwafa) plans, the initiative will start at sector level (there are 416 sectors countrywide), move on to district level (30 in total) before the cream battles in the (third) division.

Ends