Association Ijabo Ryawe Rwanda Distributes 120 Footballs to Boost Grassroots Football Development in Kigali
KIGALI, Rwanda – More than 700 young football enthusiasts from across Kigali gathered at Tapis Rouge Playground in Nyamirambo on June 6, 2026, as Association Ijabo Ryawe Rwanda distributed 120 footballs to youth football academies in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots football development in Rwanda.
The distribution was conducted under the Grassroots Festival 2026 program, which brought together over 40 football academies and hundreds of boys and girls under the age of 15 who share a passion for the sport.
The event attracted key stakeholders in Rwanda’s football ecosystem, including the First Vice President in Charge of Technical Affairs at the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), Richard Mugisha, the President of Association Ijabo Ryawe Rwanda, Sheikh Habimana Hamdani, coaches, league officials, and development partners.
Speaking during the event, Sheikh Habimana emphasized that the future of Rwandan football depends on investments made at the grassroots level. He called on academies, parents, and football stakeholders to continue supporting young talents and creating opportunities for children to develop their skills.
He noted that Association Ijabo Ryawe Rwanda is intensifying efforts to strengthen youth football academies and help them operate more professionally, with the ultimate goal of producing players capable of elevating Rwanda’s football standards.
Sheikh Habimana also welcomed new regulations governing youth player development, saying they provide greater protection and recognition for academies that invest in nurturing young talent.
“A new regulation has been introduced to ensure that academies that develop players receive the compensation and recognition they deserve. The procedures are now clear and will help safeguard the interests of academies that play a critical role in developing future football stars,” he said.
As part of its ongoing football development agenda, the association announced that activities under the Grassroots Festival will continue in Rwanda’s Western Province, where First League competitions are scheduled to take place at Umuganda Stadium on June 20, 2026.
Representing FERWAFA, Richard Mugisha praised Association Ijabo Ryawe Rwanda for its contribution to youth football development, noting that grassroots initiatives are essential for building a strong foundation for the future of the game.
He further revealed that FERWAFA has launched a coach development program aimed at equipping youth coaches with modern training techniques and best practices for nurturing young players.
“Developing talented players begins with developing capable coaches. Through these training initiatives, we want to ensure that young players receive quality guidance from an early age,” Mugisha said.
He reaffirmed FERWAFA’s commitment to working closely with Association Ijabo Ryawe Rwanda and other stakeholders to promote grassroots football and create sustainable pathways for talent development across the country.
The event featured football activities, recreational games, and interactions among young players from different academies. For many participants, receiving new footballs represented both encouragement and motivation to continue pursuing their dreams in the sport.
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