Ex-Arsenal boss meets with Rwandan football officials

Former vice-chairman of English Premier League club Arsenal, David Dein, held discussions with CAF’s Media commission vice-president Celestin Musabyimana and president of Rwanda Football Federation Celestin Ntagungira in South Africa.

Sunday, February 10, 2013
(L-R); Celestin Musabyimana, David Dein and Celestin Ntagungira. The New Times / Courtesy.

Former vice-chairman of English Premier League club Arsenal, David Dein, held discussions with CAF’s Media commission vice-president Celestin Musabyimana and president of Rwanda Football Federation Celestin Ntagungira in South Africa.The meeting, held on Saturday in Pretoria, was meant to exchange ideas on how Rwanda‘s football governing body could acquire knowledge from Arsenal and England at large. During the discussion, Dein was briefed on the current status of Rwanda’s league and the starting phase of trying to make it professional. "In the exchange, Dein was delighted to hear that there was a Rwandan, Alfred Mugabo in the Arsenal’s academy. Both parties discussed about his future in international football as well as possibility to include other Rwandans in the English second league,” a press release reads in part.Dein expressed his will to visit Rwanda to make a presentation on how other international leagues are organised and how technology in modern football works. He advised the Rwandan pair to organise a symposium on football in which he will be more than willing to participate. Concerning recruitment of young stars in the Arsenal youth development team, he advised that "one could look at it when a proper assessment is completed.” The Rwandan officials were also briefed on the goal line technology which is being introduced in football.