RWANDA’S Sports and Culture Ministry has given federations up to January, 2010 to acquire legal status.

The Sports and Culture Minister Joseph Habineza told Times Sport yesterday that the decision to allow federations vote the local Olympic Committee (RNOC) executive committee will not get in the way of the process of acquiring the needed status.

"We extended the deadline to January, 2010 because it was not easier for federations to acquire status in the shortest possible time,” Habineza said.

Habineza also confirmed that each federation has been given Rwf0.9m to register three clubs and finalise the legalization process.

About 25 local sports federations and associations will take part in RNOC’s elections which are set for December 27.

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