Former Paris Saint-Germain star Javier Matías Pastore is among celebrities who will name a baby gorilla at the annual Kwita Izina ceremony scheduled for Friday, September 5. The French Ligue 1 champions confirmed that the Argentine will grace the ceremony which will take place in the foothills of Volcanoes National Park, in Musanze District, where 40 baby gorillas, including 18 born in 2024, will be named. “He will visit the Land of the Thousand Mountains and show his love for young children playing football, during his rare stay in Rwanda,” the club said via its X account. Pastore’s presence at the gorilla naming ceremony is part of the partnership existing between Rwanda and PSG which was renewed in April for another three years until 2028. The 36-year-old played for Paris Saint-Germain between 2011 and 2018, making 186 appearances and scoring 29 goals. This is the 20th time such a ceremony will be held in Rwanda, as last year’s event was postponed due to the Marburg outbreak in the country. At least 395 baby gorillas have been named since the first ceremony took place in 2005.
