Rwanda eye hosting rights for U17 World Cup finals

After organising a successful CHAN 2016, Rwanda has expressed interest in hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals in 2019, Saturday Sport has learnt. The bidding process to host the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup was launched by the world football governing body last month. Lt. Col Patrice Rugambwa confirmed that FERWAFA has made a request to government. / Sam Ngendahimana The 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup will be the 18th edition – the biennial international men’s youth football championship is contested by the U17 national teams of the member associations of FIFA. The Ministry of Sports and Culture Permanent Secretary, Lt. Col Patrice Rugambwa confirmed that FERWAFA has made a request to government for a go ahead to make the bid and they are waiting for the bidding documents. “We have discussed the idea with FERWAFA but we are waiting for the bidding document to see if it is in our range,” Rugambwa revealed to Saturday Sport yesterday. Deadline for the member associations to declare their interest was July 7, while the deadline to re-confirm interest in bidding is August 18, but the actual deadline for the member associations to submit the definitive bid is November 1. Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) president Vincent Nzamwita disclosed that, “We have expressed our interest through registration and we are waiting for the bid document and see what FIFA asked so that we can go ahead to make the official bid.” The country also wants to host the Africa Cup of Nations finals but the 2025 edition is the ‘nearest’ that Rwanda can bid for. After CHAN 2016, CAF affirmed that Rwanda had shown that they were ready to host big events. Rwanda has gained massive experience from hosting different continental championships including CHAN 2016, Africa U19 Youth Championships in 2009 as well as the 2011 Africa Under-17 Championships. editorial@newtimes.co.rw