* says, presence in Kigali signifies that they have a “human heart.” NYARUGENGE - President Paul Kagame on Monday praised the African stars for their effort in the ‘One Dollar Campaign.’ The stars jetted into Kigali to play in a charity match against the national football team, Amavubi. The stars who included; Barcelona duo Samuel Eto’O Fils and Yaya Toure and Chelsea’s hit-man Didier Drogba lost the game 3-0 at a fully packed Amahoro National Stadium.
* says, presence in Kigali signifies that they have a "human heart.”
NYARUGENGE - President Paul Kagame on Monday praised the African stars for their effort in the ‘One Dollar Campaign.’
The stars jetted into Kigali to play in a charity match against the national football team, Amavubi.
The stars who included; Barcelona duo Samuel Eto’O Fils and Yaya Toure and Chelsea’s hit-man Didier Drogba lost the game 3-0 at a fully packed Amahoro National Stadium.
Addressing more than 200 well-wishers who turned up for the dinner organized for the visiting team, President Kagame extolled the event’s organizers.
"I want to thank and appreciate the people who organised this event. It has taken some time, was difficult but finally it is a success.”
"I want to appreciate the footballers. These footballers represent the African talent at its best and beyond their talent; their presence today exemplifies something else. They have a human heart.”
"Their yearly calendar is always very active. This was a small window that they could be having a break and having time for their families and for themselves but preferred to be with us here.”
"They are here for the noble cause. This dinner symbolizes hope for the people who had lost hope in themselves and in their country.”
"Welcome our brothers and you have seen how our people in this country appreciate you. We expect you to be coming here more often. This is your other home,” Kagame said.
Despite the glamour, the stars did not forget the main purpose of their visit.
"We just play for fun but it’s always good to show a brotherly heart,’’ said Drogba.
"What we did here was big and should send a message to all Africans. Africans should be united through this ‘One Dollar Campaign’ project.”
"We should all be united and fight for the noble cause of unity and support each other in many ways.”
The Minister of Sports and Culture, Joseph Habineza could not hide his joy in having the European-based stars on Rwandan soil.
"We express our gratitude to the President for having supported this event. It’s not a secret; as you all know that he is a football fan, he made everything possible to enable this event to succeed.”
"I also thank our visitors who sacrificed their time to be with us here to support the ‘One Dollar Campaign’ project,” Habineza said.
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