CAF gives Rwanda vote of confidence

THE Confederation of African Football [Caf] has pledged total support in ensuring that Rwanda hosts a successful fifth edition of Africa Nations Championship [CHAN] in 2016. The development was confirmed by Rwanda Football Federation (Ferwafa) chairman Vincent Degaule Nzamwita yesterday. Nzamwita was speaking from Cape Town, South Africa after meeting Caf boss Issa Hayatou on Wednesday. “I had fruitful discussions with Caf president Issa Hayatou regarding the next edition of the 2016 CHAN tournament which will be held in Rwanda. He noted that the continental body and Hayatou himself are ready to do everything possible to ensure that we host a successful tournament,” Nzamwita told Times Sport in a phone interview. Nzamwita said he briefed Hayatou on the progress of preparations and “he assured us that we should not be intimidated with the way the South Africa edition has been organised because of their very good infrastructure.” He said that when Hayatou visits Rwanda during the 20th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, more discussions will be held. Nzamwita also revealed that South Africa football Federation officials [Safa] will meet Rwandan officials on the CHAN preparations organising committee to give them tips on organising a successful tournament. Partnership with Algeria Nzamwita further added that Rwanda has sealed a partnership with Algeria Football Federation to offer enhanced treatment to injured Rwandan players. “I met with the Algerian Football Federation president, Mohamed Raouraoua and our talks were successful. The kind of partnership we have agreed upon will see our federation paying airfare charges only for our injured players and the rest will be taken care of by our Algerian counterparts. We want players like Faustin Usegimana and Eric Nsabimana to be the first beneficiaries such that they can be in fine form to play for our country in 2016 CHAN tournament,” added Nzamwita. Over to Rwanda With South Africa edition coming to a closure, the flag will be handed over to Nzamwita who was accompanied by Emmanuel Bugingo, Director of Sports in the Ministry of Sports and Culture. Besides preparing a formidable national team which should win the tournament, Rwanda is also charged with an upgrade of its infrastructure and organisation of the continental championship. Caf president 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. They included the 2009 U-20 Africa youth championship as well as the U-17 championship the same year. With the national team set to be engaged in different regional and continental competitions, focus has to be 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 be upgraded to FIFA standards including being able to host night matches. Uncertainty over Gahanga There are reports that the 45,000 seater stadium in Gahanga might be ruled out after projections indicated that it may not be completed in time for the tournament as planned last year. 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 is optimistic that once construction begins the stadium will be ready within 24 months.