Soccer stars arrive for ‘One Dollar Campaign’

KIGALI - African football stars led by Samuel Eto’O Fils and Didier Drogba arrive in Kigali this evening. They are here to take part in tomorrow’s charity game aimed at supporting the ‘One Dollar campaign’ for survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The African select side will play against Rwanda’s national football team, Amavubi, at Amahoro stadium. The Minister of Culture and Sports, Joseph Habineza told Sunday Times yesterday that the African football players are arriving at Kigali International Airport today at 2000 hours aboard a private jet. “The players are expected in town tomorrow (today) evening. Their presence in the country is aimed at boosting the One Dollar Campaign project,” Habineza said. President Paul Kagame has footed the travelling expenses for the players. Away from the pitch, the players will pay a courtesy call to the President, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre as well as visit and share experiences with orphans. According to Minister Habineza, seven players had confirmed their participation in this charity match by press time. They include; Samuel Eto’O Fils (Barcelona), Kolo Toure (Arsenal), Yaya Toure (Barcelona), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Geremi Njitap (Newcastle), Rigobert Song (Galatasaray) and Idriss Kameni (Espanyol). Players who were expected but are doubtful to grace this event are; Alexander Song (Arsenal), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea), Boubacar Sanogo (Bremen), S. Toure(Ivory Coast), Idriss Ilolo (Ivory Coast) and Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal). The ‘One Dollar Campaign’ for Genocide Survivors is a project developed by the Rwandan Diaspora community and supported by the Diaspora General Directorate in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. Its mission is to improve the living conditions and social welfare of vulnerable survivors of the 1994 Genocide and to put a smile on their face and hope for the future. It is the second time that Eto’O, goalie Kameni, Rigobert Song and Geremi will have stepped in Rwanda. In 2006, they were part of the Cameroon squad that hit Rwanda’s national team, the Amavubi Stars, 3-0 during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Ends