Many Rwandans, like myself, are lovers of sports, this, thanks to our country’s sporting spirit exhibited especially on Friday evenings. Sports help us break boredom and refresh our minds. A growing body of research literature finds that in addition to improved physical health, sport plays a primarily positive role in individual development, including improved academic achievement, higher self-esteem, fewer behavioral problems, and not forgetting the better psycho-social aspects of life. Sporting events in particular have also been fronted several times as a factor in relieving pressure of conflict throughout history. Sports strengthen social networks and community identity, according to several international studies. But in the sphere of sports, there is one game which is almost the most conspicuous, football, or the Beautiful Game, as it has come to be known globally. We become the soccer lovers or fans first nearly by default, or by influence of friends, spectating or by being in the pitch playing it. That brings to mind our childhood days, when things were all about kicking things! The contemporary history of this world’s favourite game spans more than 100 years. It all began in 1863 in England, when rugby football and association football branched off on their different courses and the Football Association in England was formed - becoming the sport’s first governing body. Football went ahead to become the world’s most popular ball game, at least in terms of numbers of participants and spectators. It is deeply ingrained in our psyche and has support in so many parts of the world with fans supporting teams across the world. Its nature has continued to be at the world’s imagination with events televised around the globe. The game is a multi-billion pound global industry. Many of the world’s biggest brands increasingly use the power of football as a brand marketing tool in their own businesses. There are particular opportunities while fans from different continents follow their clubs on-line and want to demonstrate their identification with their favourite clubs and global brands using football as a platform. Hosting a global or continental sports event automatically spur economic growth, which creates and supports new sectors and, in turn, a raft of new investments andjobs. Having thousands of fans streaming to attend the matches provides vast of opportunities in highlighting how accessible the host country is to potential businesses. It is no doubt that African Nations Championship (CHAN), which starts in Rwanda tomorrow, has lots of goodies to our country, Rwanda. There is already improved infrastructure; stadia that have been overhauled to cater for the event – all positives that are already in stock. The organisers have been working day and night to make sure everything is in place. My peep at the Kigali Regional Stadium in Nyamirambo left me perplexed. The facility is sparklingly clean, neat and super, a sign of job well done! The participating teams and esteemed soccer fans around Africa will have the good services of our hotels – meals, drinks and all sorts of entertainment. Local transport companies will reap big since there will be constant movement from one place to the other on a daily basis-from public transport, cabs and car rentals. Visitors will buy our homegrown products; “Agaseke” and wood engravings, home decor, jewelry, and textile collections. These expenditures will bring an increase in retail trade, which is very beneficial for the economy. They also will undoubtedly be interested in the famous and historical places of Rwanda, which means a lot of sightseeing will be done. Rwanda, being home to a diverse population of animals including mountain gorillas and the largest natural park, Tour and Travels companies will definitely make some good trips to Nyungwe, Akagera, Volcanoes Mountain, Lake Kivu, Musanze museums among other great destinations. On the other hand, the tournament host cities like Kigali, Rubavu and Huye, where the games will be staged, shall have much to gain above all. Businesses will fetch more than they do on normal days. They have an opportunity to watch actions as they take place right inside the stadium and chance to mingle and interact with the rest of Africa at the door step. Yes, the big African tournament is here with its many benefits from the expansion of services to other related development opportunities. Remember the notion that ‘one of the reasons Japan developed sharply after the World War II was attributed to the country succeeding in hosting Tokyo Olympic.’ Starting from tomorrow, Rwanda will become the centre of attention across the continent as African giant football teams battle it out. This international exhibition brings prestige and honour to the country. It will further grow our national pride and boost confidence in us to bid for other bigger continental and global sports events. Meanwhile, as an ardent fan but not a fanatic, let me wish our national team, Amavubi, the very best as they compete with their peer African’s top cream national soccer teams. oscar_kim2000@yahoo.co.uk
