THE world football governing body, Fifa will fully sponsor one Rwandan player to the Amavubi Academy of excellence due to open in January next year, a top Ferwafa official has confirmed. The official said that Fifa, through their Technical Director Jean Michel Benezet has pledged to fully sponsor the lucky player from the U-17 team, who’ll be selected by the local football body. “Benezet is the first person from outside country to offer his support to Rwandan footballers,” the official acknowledged.Meanwhile, Fifa has injected $400.000 (approx. Frw221 millions) to the Amavubi academy of excellence. The sponsorship, which is part of the Fifa’s Goal Project, will help to run the activities of the academy.The “academy for excellence” is aimed at encouraging young Rwandan players to reach and maintain high standards as well as improving Rwandan football in general. The academy is to bring talented young footballers to the training centre to provide them with both football training and educational development. The number of players who will join the academy will be 30 including four goal keepers and players born in 1994 or exceptionally in 1995 will be eligible to join the academy of excellence. The Fifa grant will help in meeting the essential requirements for the academy which include accommodation, leisure facilities, training infrastructures, scouting and selection of talented players, transport and sports equipments to mention but a few. The Amavubi academy of excellence is the first of its nature in Africa and will equip younger players with theoretical and physical techniques in football. Ends
