Rwanda Rugby Federation’s (RRF) has many long standing objectives this year and one is to secure Stade Malaria as its home ground, to improve rugby in the country.

The RRF executive made a move to lease Stade Malaria which is located next to Cercle Sportif de Kigali in Rugunga, toward the end of November 2014.

The project had limited progress last year but an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as recquired by the City of Kigali authorities was carried out and the findings are under review by the Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA). Stade Malaria lies in the City of Kigali Green belt.

RRF is now awaiting a response from REMA, which they hope to get in March—once approved, construction of a pavilion and a club house and refurbishment of the ground will proceed.     

"We have all the plans for the ground and the other paperwork. If all goes well, we will have a pitch not later than June this year,” said RRF president Alex Araire in an exclusive interview with Times Sport.

Araire revealed that, to achieve this, RRF is working closely with their partners, among them, Dave Hughes , a former Silverbacks coach, the Penguins, a UK-based rugby club, Friends of Rwandan Rugby(FoRR) – all these have committed funds totaling to US$35,000(about Rwf26m).

"If we can present the documentation showing that Rwanda Rugby has a pitch but need funds to build a mini-stadium around it, then our partners are ready to contribute to the cause,” noted Araire, who disclosed that the whole project is expected to take up Rwf40 million.

The ground, when ready, could host the Africa Rugby Cup for the Division 2 South in June, which features Rwanda, DR Congo and Burundi – the tournament has always been held at Amahoro National Stadium, Remera.

A rugby ground will boost RRF’s chances of retaining the full membership - which also took years to achieve. Meanwhile, the start of the new league season, which was supposed to kick-off over the weekend, was moved to this coming weekend after clubs requested for more time to finalize their preparations.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw