Kigali (SONNA):The long-term development of football in east Africa received a substantial boost with the inauguration of a new FIFA Regional Development Office in Kigali, Rwanda, following a signature and opening ceremony that included FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from Rwanda, Vincent Biruta, the Minister of Sports, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju and the President of the Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA) Jean-Damascene Sekamana. Other football dignitaries were also in attendance, including the President of the Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), Wallace Karia, Célestin Yanindji, President of the Central African Republic Football Association, and Presidents of FOFA member associations from the region. “I would like to thank President Paul Kagame and the Rwandan government for facilitating the opening of this office, as it sets the scene for us at FIFA level to be able to help all the associations at the regional level to develop football,” the FIFA President said. “Infrastructure, competitions, development and education, these are the key areas the FIFA President said. “Infrastructure, competitions, development and education, these are the key areas which FIFA is focused on, and the task of this office will be to implement the FIFA Forward programme in the region. “This means to support the development, to coordinate the programmer, to help organize competitions for boys and girls, to foster women’s football, to ensure that the investment that FIFA is making is channeled in the right place, and to make sure that east African football will shine on the international stage. The talent is here. The passion is here. And together with the federations and the governments in this part of the world, we are creating the conditions for a better future.” Source: Somali National News Agency February 20, 2021
