Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) has launched a high-level FIFA beach soccer refereeing and coaching course, the first of its kind in the country.

The historic course level FIFA beach soccer refereeing and coaching course was launched on Monday by FERWAFA’s Vice President Vedatse Kayiranga in Rubavu District.

The week-long high level course which will climax on March 9, 2017 is organized by Organization of Women in Sports (Akwos) in partnership with Rwanda Football Federation. It attracted 31 participants, 18 females and 13 males, according to a statement released by FERWAFA.

Speaking at the launch, FERWAFA Vice President Kayiranga said, "This is a special day for Rwandan football as we take a step in developing beach soccer in our country. As FERWAFA, we are committed to developing football from the bottom and the implementation of beach soccer in the country through such training is one of our main priorities and with the start of this course I can say that we have achieved some of our targeted endeavors.”

The FERWAFA Executive Committee member in charge of women football who also doubles as the co-founder and CEO of Organization of Women in Sports (Akwos), Felicite Rwemalika said, "The long plan is to continue developing the game and human resource capacity and hosting different competitions,”

"Our major aim in the next few months will be to develop a strategic plan and request the support of FIFA such that we can develop the sport and be able to fully participate in regional and continental championship,” added Rwemalika.

The participants are being tutored on the laws of the FIFA Refereeing Assistance Program (RAP) Futuro III guideline during the morning session before taking on practical sessions later in the afternoon.

Since 2008, RAP has led the way in improving the standard of refereeing through education and support. The referees instructors and coaches are receiving high-quality training from Ugandan duo of experienced CAF beach soccer/futsal referees instructor Mr. Ali Mwebe (Referees) and Mr. Bashir Mutyaba (Coaches).

Through multiple presentations, practical examples and engaging teaching techniques, the participants are equipped with the tools to disseminate suitably what they absorbed upon completion of the course.

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