Give Kazura another term at Ferwafa

Brigadier General Jean Bosco Kazura who is the outgoing boss of Rwanda football federation, Ferwafa ought to be given another term to lead the country’s football to another outstanding level. Five years down the road, Kazura’s reign comes to an end this month but his proficiency can possibly earn him rights of securing another term to guide Rwandan football to where it should be not only in the region but on the continent. Whether it’s Kazura himself who decides to run for the second term, members of the football fraternity or anyone else responsible should give the former APR club player and president another chance to carry on. For five years, he has tirelessly managed to accomplish what his predecessors failed to do in the past years. The foremost achievement that many have not noticed that even his forerunners never did in their tenure was restoring a long-lasting relationship with the World’s football body, Ferwafa and Africa’s continental body, CAF. It’s not so easy for a budding national football association like to have good working relationships and even be consulted in decision-making for both FIFA and CAF apart from the superior footballing nations like Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana that have established their dominance in African football by winning back to back continental trophies. It’s Kazura’s policies that have seen Ferwafa rise from scratches to dictate CAF in taking firm policies that have not only elevated Rwandan football but African football in general. Kazura’s reign saw Rwanda being awarded full rights to host the 2009 African Youth Championship as well as 2011 Africa U-17 Championship. After a 2009 edition of continental championship in Kigali, CAF President Issa Hayatou was impressed by the successful tournament hosted in Kigali and again awarded the country the 2011 U-17 editions finals. Months later, Kazura and Ferwafa Chief Executive Officer Jules Kalisa were appointed in COCAN and Disciplinary Committees of CAF. It’s always not easy to get appointments mainly by CAF to be in any of its commissions but Kazura’s knowledgeable and tremendous administration impressed CAF to earn those appointments. A good example is Celestin Musabyimana who took nearly seven years to get an appointment in the CAF executive Commitment. The more delegates we have in CAF executive committee the more Rwandans benefit from hosting competitions to getting grants that help in elevating the country’s football. In 2008, Kazura-led Ferwafa was given a grant worth $400,000 (approx. Rwf217.9m) from Fifa and he installed Remera, Nyamirambo and Kicukiro artificial turfs. The Remera turf was constructed to enable Amavubi academy carry out their operations which had been stalled for some years and these infrastructures have even helped local clubs to improve on their football standards. Though man has ups and downs in life, Kazura’s administration should not be blamed for not qualifying Rwanda to Nations’ cup finals in Angola. Just like he said recently, we all need to take time and prepare local talents thus the renaissance of football academies in the country. His target if given another term would be qualifying the country to 2012 Nations’ Cup finals to be held in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, a feat which is achievable with time.What I believe, the country’s relationship with CAF will diminish slightly and would take years to be amended if Kazura is denied or fails in his attempt to get (though he has not declared his intention to run) another term just like how the state of affairs were before he took over the national football house. Kazura’s administration should be commended for his strong support to the national team, clubs and talent in local youth and the continued professionalizing of Ferwafa and the growth of national football leagues. In football administration, continuity is always the wise choice if a country like Rwanda is to develop its football standards. Take an example of our neighbors FUFA (Uganda), Lawrence Mulindwa was given a second term to continue from where he stopped and Rwanda should take a lesson from that. Kazura has several incomplete plans for our country’s football, so let him complete his tasks in the next five years through a second term. Contact:bonnex10@yahoo.co.uk