Rwanda bids for 2015 Cecafa Cup

THE Rwanda Football Federation ( Ferwafa) wants to host the 2015 annual Cecafa Challenge Cup as part of preparations for the Africa Nations Championships [CHAN] which will be held in Kigali in 2016. The Ferwafa chairman Vincent Degaule Nzamwita told Times Sport yesterday that they have informed the Cecafa administration about the interest but are yet to get a response. “It’s not yet confirmed that Rwanda will host the event, it is still in process but we believe it would be a good opportunity for Rwanda to host the tournament so we can prepare effectively for the CHAN tournament due in 2016,” Nzamwita said. Nzamwita said Ferwafa wants to ensure that the organisation and preparation for CHAN is a great success. In last year’s Cecafa edition, Amavubi were knocked out by hosts and eventual winners Kenya after 1-0 loss in Nairobi. As the 2014 CHAN tournament comes to an end this month, the hosting mantle will be passed on to Rwanda to host the fourth edition. CAF president Issa Hayatou endorsed Rwanda to host the 2016 CHAN edition in January 2011 after the country staged two successful youth continental tournaments in a space of three years, including the 2009 U-20 Africa youth championship as well as the U-17 championship this year. With the national team being prepared and tested in different regional and continental competitions, focus is being put on infrastructure development to host the 16-nation tournament. Amahoro stadium, Stade de Kigali, Stade de Rubavu, Stade de Muhanga and a yet to be constructed stadium which will be located in Gahanga, Kicukiro district have been earmarked to host the tournament. All these stadiums must meet FIFA requirements and should be able to accommodate night matches if they are to be approved by CAF officials expected in Kigali at the end of the South Africa CHAN finals. Meanwhile, works at the 45,000 seat stadium in Gahanga is yet to begin. The contractor, Babilaks construction limited, a Turkish company under the Babil group of companies is planning to spend an estimated $130m to $150m on a state-of-the-art Sports Village. The sports village will include the stadium on 8 hectares, a 4-star hotel with 200 rooms, Olympic swimming pool and a leisure park, among others. Mustafa Cem Ozdemir, head of Babil Group’s international development, told this paper late last year that the construction of the stadium will last 24 months.