Ferwafa elections: Veteran referee Louis Rurangirwa outlines his ambitious plan

Louis Rurangirwa, a former international referee, has unveiled his ambitious manifesto as he runs for President of the Rwanda Football Association (Ferwafa) in Sunday’s, June 27, election. He is vying for the top office in domestic football administration against businessman and Mukura Victory Sports president, Olivier Nizeyimana. Rurangirwa, running on the card of second-tier side Rugende Women Football Club, is contesting in Ferwafa presidential elections for a second time, having lost in 2018 to Jean-Damascene Sekamana who resigned for personal reasons in April this year. In an interview with Times Sport this week, Rurangirwa outlined priorities in his manifesto, and how his leadership could change the face of Rwandan football. Good governance Rurangirwa emphasizes that one crucial factor that has consistently led to Rwanda football stunting is poor management – both in clubs and Ferwafa itself. Should he win Sunday’s election, he says he and his committee are ready to put efforts into building a strong foundation for the game around good governance in all aspects. “We need good leadership for our football to advance. We want to revise the management of the game in all aspects from member clubs to the governing body, and put efforts together in building the future we all want for Rwanda football,” he said. Referees’ welfare As a candidate with a vast experience and background in refereeing, Rurangirwa knows what a match official needs to be successful. To him, it is time Ferwafa does more than the bare minimum in empowering and up-skilling local referees to reach the next level. Putting into consideration their welfare, he says, will also help them focus on delivering the best results. “Football can’t be played without referees. I used to be one, I understand well their important role in the development of the game. During my leadership, we will put more effort into preparing our referees as well as improving their welfare.” Different clubs have on many occasions reported referees to Ferwafa over ‘unfair refereeing’ decisions to the point that some suspected corruption in match handling. Rurangirwa argues that the majority of these scenarios are a result of their inadequate payments and how they are prepared as professional referees. To address the crisis, he has pledged to restructure referees’ compensations to a level that a topflight match official can earn at least $50 (Rwf 50,000) per match, and ensure that referees and their families get health insurance. Investing in talent development Rurangirwa is convinced that future footballers are prepared from a young age and is concerned that Rwanda’s football lacks a blueprint to unearth, nurture and produce talents or provide them with a platform to shine. Football development from the grassroots level has for years been a constant topic in the media and amongst stakeholders but has failed to pay dividends. Rurangirwa concedes that he would have a tough task to succeed where his predecessors have failed, but he is optimistic about bringing in major and immediate changes. After a month into his four-year tenure, should he get elected, he insists that there should be a defined calendar of fixtures for a junior league. In the long term, Rurangirwa revealed that, in reference to French Clairefontaine Academy project, he dreams of establishing a national professional academy where the best talents can have a real chance to play in the world’s biggest leagues. “The majority of top players in France come from the Clairefontaine Academy, I took time to study it and I realized it is a project that would work for us. We must have a centre where talents have a real chance to succeed, which would also benefit our national teams.” Support to second division Rurangirwa says that clubs in the second division league get little to no support yet it is where most topflight league teams run to in transfer windows for fresh talents. “These are clubs that supply players in the topflight league, they should be the backbone of our football development but resources there are limited. They deserve support, and we will work with all stakeholders to make the league more competitive, and teams more sustainable.” Recognizing legends Like Nizeyimana, Rurangirwa is also convinced that legends deserve a place in the development of Rwandan football and is ready to get them involved. They would as well be represented in Ferwafa meetings and decision-making organs. A ‘Hall of Fame’ will also be established for Rwanda’s football legends to be recognized and have their records documented so younger generations can learn and draw inspiration from them. Buying a national team bus While some clubs own their own buses, the national teams have for years been relying on rented vehicles whenever they are summoned for preparations of international matches. But, Rurangirwa says it is time Ferwafa purchased its own bus and cut expenses made on rented buses during national team duties. “We can actually buy it in less than a year.”