Rwanda is set to host three consecutive tournaments of the Veterans Clubs World Championship (VCWC) from 2024 to 2026.
The development comes after the government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EasyGroup EXP relating to the hosting of the competition in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
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The VCWC is a tournament for former players to showcase their talents once again and, more importantly, to contribute to noble causes.
Next year’s edition of the competition is expected to attract up to 150 football veterans and it is anticipated with over 100 million people expected to following worldwide.
The MoU that Rwanda signed is based on items including promoting the country’s tourism through Visit Rwanda where renowned world football legends and football fans will visit country.
The second aspect has to do with investing in Rwanda where, since the legends made a lot of money during their careers and have a lot of networks, they may need a place to invest. They can either invest in or through Rwanda.
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The third item is promoting Rwanda as a good place for meetings, where the legends can hold meetings with their business partners.
Reacting on the development, VCWC president Fred Siewe commended President Paul Kagame for accepting Rwanda to become the "home of legends for the next three editions.”
"Let’s visit, meet and invest in Rwanda,” Siewe said via his X account.
Recently, the Legends Visit Rwanda, a global promotional tour for the VCWC 2024, carried out a world tour across the globe as part of promoting the competition.
A number of football legends grace the tour which was held various cities including New York City, United States, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Berlin in Germany, London in the United Kingdom, Paris in France and Lagos in Nigeria, Johannesburg in South Africa and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania before concluding Abidjan in Côte d&039;Ivoire, the hosts of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
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During the Dar es Salaam tour, for instance, Ambassador Fatou Harerimana renewed the commitment of the government of Rwanda towards ensuring that the VCWC inaugural edition in 2024 is a brilliant success.
The envoy noted that the country has great facilities that have recently hosted several international events and the brand-new Amahoro stadium will equally be ready next year to host the legends' tournament.
Celestin Rwabukumba, the President of the VCWC Business Club pointed at the VCWC’s business potential.
"The VCWC Business Club is a unique opportunity to ensure that this outstanding event bringing 150 football Legends to Rwanda, leaves a sustainable legacy at the regional (East Africa) and global level," he said.
Some football legends that graced the tour include Nigeria’s Jay Jay Okocha, Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o and Patrick Mboma who is the VCWC brand ambassador, France’s Emmanuel Petit, South Africa’s Lucas Radebe.