PHOTOS: FERWAFA hotel unveiled after 11 years

Rwanda’s football governing body (FERWAFA) on Monday, March 30, officially launched its long-awaited accommodation facility in Remera after 11 years of construction. The complex, developed in partnership with FIFA through the FIFA Forward Programme, was inaugurated on the sidelines of the FIFA Series held in Kigali from March 26–30. The international friendlies tournament brought together eight national teams, including hosts Rwanda. ALSO READ: Ferwafa hotel complete, ready for operations The four-star facility features 42 bedrooms, two dining halls, office spaces, and two large meeting rooms, and is designed to support the development of football in the country. Construction works for the hotel started in August 2015 and were supposed to be completed by the end of 2016 at a cost of Rwf4 billion. However, the works were suspended in 2018, when the building reached halfway, due to financial constraints. Ferwafa resumed the works in August 2021 and, two years later, FIFA injected a further $4.5 million (over Rwf 5 billion) as part of the FIFA Forward programme launched during the FIFA Congress held in Kigali in March 2023. ALSO READ: Kagame lauds FIFA’s infrastructure efforts The inauguration ceremony was attended by Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire, FERWAFA President Fabrice Shema, and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström. “We thank the collaboration between our government and FIFA. Their combined efforts continue to develop the football community in the country. This project helps bridge the infrastructure gap and will support the development of future football stars,” said Shema. The FERWAFA hotel will serve as a base for Rwanda’s national teams—including men’s, women’s, and youth sides—during training camps, while also hosting federation guests for meetings and workshops. Earlier in the day, officials also inaugurated a mini football pitch at Kagarama Secondary School in Kicukiro District as part of the FIFA Arena Project. The initiative aims to construct 10 mini pitches in its initial phase, with nine more expected to be completed across selected districts by the end of 2026. A further 20 pitches are planned in later phases to expand the project nationwide. “These projects are aligned with the vision and dreams of young people. They are not only important for sport and health, but also for talent identification and development,” Mukazayire said. According to Grafström, the initiative complements existing infrastructure such as Amahoro Stadium and places emphasis on grassroots development, where many young talents are first identified in schools. “I’m very happy to be here to inaugurate two milestone projects, especially this mini pitch, which will give young boys and girls the opportunity to start their football journey early while combining it with education. It will also support teachers in shaping future leaders through sport,” he said. The FIFA Arena Project is expected to complement ongoing talent development initiatives such as the Isonga–AFD Programme, which focuses on identifying, nurturing, and promoting young athletes across Rwanda. The programme aligns with the National Sports Development Policy and supports long-term preparations for major international competitions, including the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.