Abega meets Fifa boss

FERWAFA president Celestin Ntagungira Abega is in Zurich, Switzerland where he has held talks with FIFA president Joseph Blatter regarding the country’s football state.

Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Abega poses for a photo with Fifa president Blatter

 

FERWAFA president Celestin Ntagungira Abega is in Zurich, Switzerland where he has held talks with FIFA president Joseph Blatter regarding the country’s football state.

Abega alongside, Chief Executive Officer Michel Gasingwa, left the country last Friday and held talks with Blatter on Monday. Abega said that they discussed the state of Rwandan football and what can be done to take the sport to the next level.

"We spoke about what FIFA has done for Rwanda through the Goal projects, artificial pitches, new offices and the training academy.”

"We also discussed new projects, such as the possibility of building a sports complex where national teams can train.”

Ntagungira also expressed his main concern to Blatter saying; "Our main concern is youth football. We want to promote the youth game throughout the country, the aim being to spot players and organise competitions for youngsters.”

"At this moment in time, football’s mainly played in towns but we want to take it to every corner of the country.”

He appreciated FIFA and Blatter for the funding of the Amavubi academy which was instrumental in qualifying Rwanda for the Fifa U-17 World Cup in Mexico.

"Rwanda’s qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico 2011 is a huge success for the country. We are so grateful to FIFA, and we want to continue in that direction,” noted Ntagungira.

Ntagungira, a former CAF/FIFA referee, was voted into office in October, replacing Brig. Gen. Jean Bosco Kazura, who had resigned..

Ntagungira and Gasingwa jet back tomorrow.

bonnie.mugabe@newtimes.co.rw