We’ll be ready for 2009 CAN U-20 finals-Habineza

Rwanda has confirmed its readiness to host an ‘extra-ordinary’ 16th edition of the Africa U-20 Youth Championship schedule for year from January 18-February 1 in Kigali. In an exclusive interview with Times Sport yesterday, the Minister of Sports and Culture Joseph Habineza said that the government is working around the clock to ensure that Rwanda stages what he described an ‘extra-ordinary’ Youth Championship ever to be held on the East African soil. Habineza said, “We have kicked off the preparations with renovations of the hosting stadiums (Amahoro and Nyamirambo).” “Renovations at Amahoro are winding up while work at Nyamirambo started last week and would go on until early December,” Habineza said. Habineza added the national U-20 team will train in Germany later this year to enable so as to give them exposure ahead of a busy schedule in January. Apart from the stadiums and national team, the other infrastructure required for such events are being worked upon. “We have earmarked certain hotels (unidentified) in the country, which will host the foreign participating teams in the two-week long tournament. “We are also working on transport means for participating teams, officials and other visitors, who will be eager to watch the finals,” Habineza emphasized. Congo, Brazzaville stunned everyone to win the African title on home soil last year and Rwanda would very much hope to wants emulate that. Fourteen teams including heavy weights, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Benin, Gambia, Sudan, Zambia, Congo, Botswana, Burkina Faso Mali and Egypt recorded victories over the weekend to reach the second round of the continental youth championship and they will joined by the winner between Guinea and Ivory Coast whose return leg fixtures was postponed to next month. The first and second legs of the second round qualification are due on September 26-28 and October 11-13 respectively. Eight winners will qualify to join Rwanda in the final round of the championships to be held in Kigali next year. Ends

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We’ll be ready for 2009 CAN U-20 finals-Habineza