THIS year’s Cecafa/Kagame Club Championship will run from May 15-29 in Kigali. This was confirmed yesterday by the Confederation of East and Central African Football Association (Cecafa) Secretary General Nicholas Musonye.

However, Ferwafa is skeptical about the timing. The body’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jules Kalisa fears that the event could collide with the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).

"We (Rwanda) shall be engaged in CHAN qualifiers on the weekend of May 16-17 so we are trying to negotiate with CAF to change the dates.”

"So for now, hosting the tournament depends on CAF’s positive response.”

The last time the tournament was held in Rwanda was in 2007 and APR coasted to the title under the guidance of Andy Mfutila.

Last year, Atraco became the third local side to win the tournament (after Rayon Sport and APR) when they beat Sudanese side El Merreikh 1-0 in the final.

Hamis Kitagenda’s strike proved the difference between the sides. It was also Sam Timbe’s third Kagame Club Championship triumph after back to back wins with Ugandan sides SC Villa (2005) and Police FC (2006).

Atraco pocketed $50,000 (Rwf28.65m) and a trophy for the triumph while losing finalists El Merreikh and TP Mazembe of DRC (third place) settled for $30,000 (Rwf17m) and $20,000 (Rwf11.4m) respectively.

Since 2002, President Paul Kagame has been the key sponsor of the event with an annual contribution of $60,000 (Rwf34.3m).

With APR (national league champions) and Atraco (runners-up and Cecafa Club Championship reigning champions) already guaranteed slots in the tourney, Rayon could also sneak their way into the event after fresh reports that Rwanda (hosts) could be allowed to field three teams.

Ends