Kagame speaks out on Cecafa sponsorship

Friendly MatchesTodayRayon Sports vs Yanga FC SundayPolice vs Yanga FCPRESIDENT Paul Kagame has said his sponsorship for the annual Cecafa-Kagame Cup tournament, which attracts top regional clubs, should stay on even after he retires from politics.The Head of State was speaking yesterday when he hosted 2012 Cecafa-Kagame Cup winners Yanga (Young Africans) of Tanzania at Village Urugwiro.He told the guests that the idea of sponsoring the tournament was to promote solidarity among the peoples of regional countries. “It is not because Rwanda is richer than other East African nations but it was a symbol to strengthen the impact of sports and unity of people in the region.”‘The idea was planned in a way that the tournament and its annual sponsorship will stay longer than me. It is beyond individuals,” the President said. “Even when I am no longer the President of Rwanda, the sponsorship will continue. The impact of the Cecafa-Kagame Cup tournament will be preserved,” said Kagame.Yanga, who have won the tournament for two straight years now, are in Kigali for a one-week preseason tour. Club officials said the main purpose of their trip was to extend gratitude to President Kagame for his continued support to regional football.“We are here to recognise the support from President Kagame towards developing sports which has also acted as a uniting tool in the region,” The head of delegation, Yussuf Mwangi said.In 2002, President Kagame became the first sponsor of the club competition, injecting $60,000 which is distributed among the top three finishing teams in the annual tournament. Besides the prize money, the President also gives $15,000 every year for organisation of the tournament, bringing his total sponsorship to $75,000, according to Sports and Culture Minister Protais Mitali.As a result of that support, Cecafa leaders renamed the competition Cecafa-Kagame Club Cup championship. The sponsorship remains the competition’s lifeline to date. Meanwhile, Yanga face six-time league champions Rayon Sports this afternoon at Amahoro stadium in the Tanzanian club’s first friendly match in Rwanda. On Sunday, they will wind up their tour with another friendly game against last season’s league first runners-up and Peace Cup finalists Police FC.Yanga, who boast Amavubi playmaker Haruna Niyonzima and defender Mbuyu Twite, will fly back to Dar es Salaam on Monday ahead of the new season.