Former Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) Secretary General Jules César Kalisa has died in India after an illness. His family confirmed that Kalisa passed away on Sunday, days after travelling to India for medical treatment. The type of illness he was battling has not been confirmed yet. Kalisa served as FERWAFA Secretary General from 1999 to 2011, making him the federation’s longest-serving holder of the position. His 12-year tenure is widely regarded as one of the most significant periods in the development of Rwandan football, during which the country achieved several historic milestones at both continental and global level. He joined FERWAFA in 1999 after being recruited to coordinate the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, which Rwanda hosted that year. The tournament proved historic as Rwanda won the regional competition for the first time. Between 2003 and 2006, Kalisa undertook an internship in Belgium before returning to Rwanda to continue his work at FERWAFA. He later served as Secretary-General under former federation presidents Gen. Jean Bosco Kazura and Lt. Gen. Caesar Kayizari. Outside football administration, Kalisa was also a businessman and owned the former popular Fuchsia Bar. He was an avid tennis enthusiast and remained actively involved in the sport. “We last had a chat when he texted me last week that he was looking forward to joining us for an amateur tennis tournament in Rubavu in October. We are really sad to lose him,” said Charles Haba, a fellow tennis enthusiast.
