RWANDA’s premier referee Celestin Ntagungira a.k.a Abega has been appointed to officiate at this year’s Fifa U-17 World Cup slated for October 24-November 15 in Nigeria.

Ntagungira, considered to be one of the leading assistant referees in the great lakes region will officiate among other world referees at the Junior World Championship.

Away from the U-17 World Cup, Ntagungira has already set his sights at the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa.

Last year, the 40-year-old was one of three African referees chosen to officiate at the Fifa Club World Championship which was held in Yokohama, Japan.

The others were Evariste Menkouande (Cameroon) and centre referee Coffi Codja (Benin).

He however missed out on this year’s Fifa confederation Cup which was held in South Africa.

Ntagungira started refereeing in 1997 but only made his international debut in 2001. He has since officiated at the 2006 and 2008 Africa Nations Cup and 2006 World Cup.

Ends