As the countdown begins to the elections for the Rwanda FA leadership on August 30, the football community awaits a new executive committee that will (hopefully) steer the sport back on track. For far too long, Rwandan football has been plagued by internal turmoil, mismanagement, and corruption, with the national team last qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations back in 2004. The U20 team managed to qualify for the 2011 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, but such achievements have been few and far between. With the election of a new president and executive committee fast approaching, it is imperative that the incoming team possesses the qualities needed to not only address the longstanding issues but to also take Rwandan football to the next level. We're tired of mediocrity. The next head of FERWAFA must have the potential to serve as the architect of the sport’s revival, but the path to success requires a combination of vision, strategic planning, accountability, and a deep understanding of the challenges facing local football. By the time of writing this article, other than the incumbent Alphonse Munyantwali, who is expected to seek a fresh full term of his own, no one else had openly expressed interest in contesting for the top seat. Munyantwali has been in office since June 2023. He took office after his predecessor Olivier Mugabo Nzeyimana resigned, citing personal reasons. Munyantwali previously served as the Mayor of Nyamagabe District before taking office as the governor of Southern and Western Provinces for six years and four and a half years, respectively. A strong vision and clear strategy: First and foremost, the next FERWAFA president must have a clear vision for the future of Rwandan football. There is no place for businessmen and political activists in the top leadership of the federation. With the national team stagnating in mediocrity, the president must devise a long-term strategy that focuses on youth development, grassroots football, and improving the quality of domestic leagues. The best candidate must be able to get involved in this process full time, and not as a side thing. It is no secret that the Rwandan league has been underperforming, with clubs like APR FC, Rayon Sports, and others consistently failing to make a significant impact in CAF competitions. And on the campaign trail, we expect a successful leader to be able to articulate how they plan to not only change this narrative but also to transform the league into a more competitive and professionally run operation. One of the key areas that needs urgent attention is youth development. Here, so little attention is being paid to this vital sector. As seen in countries with strong footballing cultures, such as Germany, Spain, and France, investing in youth academies is the bedrock of future success. Rwandan football should follow suit by nurturing young talent, providing the necessary infrastructure and coaching resources to help them grow. Am I dreaming? No. Realistic? No. Delusional? No. Positive? Yes. Optimistic? Yes. The next president must make youth football a priority and work to create a pipeline that feeds into the senior teams, ensuring that the national team no longer struggles with mediocrity, but instead competes at the highest level. Accountability and transparency: Rwanda’s football governing body has been mired by scandal and corruption in the past. The shocking revelations back in 2022 about the(n) FERWAFA Secretary-General and the subsequent resignations within, including, later, of the(n) federation president, highlighted systemic issues that need to be addressed. This sort of behavior undermines the credibility of FERWAFA and tarnishes the reputation of Rwandan football on the international stage. Therefore, the incoming president must take a firm stance on accountability and transparency. A key priority should be the introduction of transparent financial systems to ensure that funds allocated to football development are being used for their intended purpose. Moreover, the new leadership must show a zero-tolerance approach to match-fixing, bribery, and any form of corruption. The president should set up an independent oversight body within the federation to investigate any allegations thoroughly and ensure that wrongdoers are held accountable. There is no room, or there shouldn't be room for cheating in football or any other sport, including theft of funds--this too is cheating! We need leaders with a high degree of integrity. Independence from external forces: Rwandan football has suffered from interference from external forces, perceived or real, in the past, which has often disrupted the decision-making process within FERWAFA. This has been FERWAFA's hiccup over the years. There is no evidence to support this conspiracy theory, though. But that's football for you, and the universal politics around and behind it. Here, we talk/write about it. That's why football is called the beautiful game, for, nothing divides opinions like it, and nothing unites people more. Without sounding simplistic, I believe the new president should focus on building a robust administrative structure within FERWAFA, one that operates according to best practices. He/she must also work closely with stakeholders, including government institutions and private sponsors, while ensuring that FERWAFA retains control over football-related decisions. This is basic but if done within the law, and with well-thought out intentions, and in the best interest of developing the sport, I can assure you, the results will be there for everyone to see, and appreciate. Football in Rwanda receives the largest share of the sports budget, but the return on investment has been disappointing. This disparity is a result of poor management, lack of proper commercial strategies, and underdeveloped sponsorship opportunities. Rwandan football has huge untapped potential in terms of commercial revenue, but it requires a head of FERWAFA who understands how to attract investment and partnerships. It's good that the campaigns are going to be carried out mostly on the various media platforms. This gives Rwandans, the tax-payer, the opportunity to ask the hard questions. Candidates must be tasked to prove they have what it takes to not only lead but take Rwandan football to the next level. This is important. Football is money although money is not football, the next FA boss must focus on securing long-term sponsorship deals for the league and national teams. This could involve reaching out to both local and international companies that are interested in associating their brands with football. Additionally, the in-coming FERWAFA head must be someone who is committed to creating a legacy. This involves not only addressing the immediate concerns but also setting the foundation for future success. He also must instill a sense of professionalism throughout the system, ensuring that all staff, coaches and players understand the importance of discipline, hard work, and respect for the game. Coaches, coaching and coaches' training: Importantly, we would like hear how the next president plans to improve the standard of coaching across the country. Rwandan football can only improve if its coaches are properly trained and equipped with the skills necessary to develop top-level talent. By and large, the next president of FERWAFA must be a visionary leader with a clear strategy to restore the pride and glory of Rwandan football. We know the road ahead will not be easy, but with the right leadership, Rwandan football has the potential to take off. It’s time for a president who is not just concerned with short-term gains, but with laying the groundwork for sustained success, both on the domestic and international stage. The future of Rwandan football depends on it.
