FERWAFA delegates reject Rwemalika in dramatic vote

FERWAFA sole presidential aspirant Felicite Rwemalika failed to garner the required 26 votes that would have made her the first woman to head the Rwandan football governing body She got 13 out 52 votes while 39 votes were invalid. Incumbent president, Vincent de Gaulle Nzamwita shocked the General Assembly when he pulled out of the contest at the last minute citing “family reasons,” leaving his opponent to stand unopposed. The general assembly was held at Lemigo Hotel. Sole candidate Félicité Rwemalika lost the election after failing to secure the required 50 percent of the vote. However, despite standing unchallenged, Rwemalika, who is a member of FERWAFA executive committee in charge of women’s football, still missed out. FERWAFA’s Electoral Commission held a closed door meeting that lasted about 40 minutes, the Commission’s head Adolphe Kalisa announced that with no winner, the current executive committee will continue to work until the next General Assembly. This, according to Kalisa is in line with the organisation status. Rwemalika happy to see change in FERWAFA Rwemalika, after failing to secure 50 percent of the vote cast, said: “I am disappointed that I have not been voted but at the same time, I am satisfied that I have taken a step towards achieving my mission to change FERWAFA for the better. Nzamwita, who will continue in office until the next general assembly is not allowed to contest for re-election, He addressed the delegates, including the 39, whom he had banked on to vote him. FIFA Council Member, Constant Omari Selemani, who was supervised the dramatic election exercise chats with Nzamwita. / N. Ingabire Nzamwita thanked everyone, who backed him during the past four years and promised to continue supporting Rwandan football and whoever will be elected the next FERWAFA president. While Nzamwita cited “family reasons” for pulling out of the race, unconfirmed reports indicate that he was forced to withdrawal after it was found that he had paid for accomodation for 30 delegates at Hill Top Hotel from Friday and given them money to sway the vote in his favour. Local sports journalists covering the press conference. / N. Ingabire This is in breach of FIFA code of conduct article 8 and 11 as it tantamounts to bribery. Sunday Sport has a copy of the list of 31 people, who were booked at Hill Top Hotel and the rooms in which each one of them slept in. The FERWAFA General Assembly is composed of 52 members including the 16 topflight league clubs, 24 second division clubs, 9 women’s football clubs and 3 Associations. FERWAFA has seen only four presidents since 1994. Gen. Jean Bosco Kazura replaced Gen. Caesar Kayizari in 2006 before Celestin Ntagungira took over the reign as an interim basis, following the resignation of Gen. Kazura while Nzamwita beat Ntagungira in the 2013 elections. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

Sports

FERWAFA delegates reject Rwemalika in dramatic vote