The FIFA Congress, the supreme legislative body of the Fédération Internationale De Football Association (FIFA), is meeting in Kigali from March 13 to 17, bringing together about 2,000 delegates from 211-member associations and other football stakeholders. The 73rd FIFA Congress is of massive importance for football across the globe. It focuses on a range of issues facing the game including governance, ethics, and the development of the sport at all levels. ALSO READ: About 2,000 delegates to attend FIFA Congress in Kigali For Rwanda in particular, the Congress also has benefits for the country as the host. Here, we look at key wins that Rwanda makes by hosting the event. 1. Promoting Rwanda as a sports tourism hub Rwanda has ambitions of further promoting its tourism industry as the country is evolving as a destination for global competition. The country targets to raise $800 million in sports tourism by 2024. ALSO READ: African countries that have hosted the FIFA Congress The FIFA Congress is arguably the biggest sports event that the country has hosted, but it comes after some good competitions that have taken place on Rwandan soil in the recent years including the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN), the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tours for both men and women in July 2021, Afrobasket 2021, and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in 2021 and 2022. Rwanda will also host the 2025 World Road Cycling Championships, and this will be the first time it will be held in Africa. 2. A win for the hospitality sector The FIFA Congress is expected to have gathered about 2,000 people in Kigali, and this is good business for the local hotels and other businesses. ALSO READ: Wenger arrives in Rwanda for FIFA congress “The people who are gathering here need accommodation, food, recreational activities, and transport. This means that Rwandans will benefit,” said sports minister Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju, in an interview with the national broadcaster on March 13. Such events promote the country’s endeavours to attract Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), a key development strategy by the government. ALSO READ: Kigali maintains second position as meetings destination in Africa 3. Learning from international counterparts Munyangaju also hinted on the opportunity presented by the congress for the local football officials to learn from their more experienced foreign counterparts. Hundreds of football governing associations from various countries around the world are represented at the congress, and with this, Rwandan football can benefit if local officials intentionally pick lessons and establish partnerships of importance to the game in the country. ALSO READ: What does hosting a FIFA regional office mean for Rwanda?
