According to documents seen by IGIHE, the 17-year-old, who is part of the Tony Football Excellence Program (TFEP), has been invited to train with the club from April 12 to June 4, 2024, under the club’s international football training and sports development program.
FC Estoril Praia, ranked 12th in the top Portuguese league, Liga Portugal, will foot his travel, living, and medical expenses during the entire training period.
The player’s dedication to football and his impressive performances as a member of the TFEP U17 team are said to have played a crucial role in his selection.
{{TFEP Programme}}
TFEP, an Israeli sports project, was introduced in Rwanda in September 2022, with the aim of enhancing sports development among talented youth in schools.
The project, led by renowned Israeli sports investor Yonat Miriam Listenberg, was launched three months after receiving approval from the Cabinet to help in fostering capacity building, improving infrastructure, and implementing sport-tech technologies in the country.
The agreement was formalised with the signing of a partnership agreement with the Government of Rwanda, represented by the Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Education, and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), on September 4, 2022.
Speaking during the signing of the deal, Listenberg affirmed that the program would nurture Rwandan youth to become global stars.
“We thank H.E, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, and government leaders for creating an enabling environment to invest in Rwandan youth and communities through sports. The project aims to promote sports culture and leadership among Rwandan young girls and boys. The partnership between the Government of Rwanda and the TFEP will ensure the achievement of our common goal, namely to nurture Rwandan youth of today to become the global stars of tomorrow,” the Director of TFEP asserted.
On her part, Minister of Sports, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju, expressed her confidence that the project would be a game-changer in the sports sector as it implements both the Sports Development Policy and the Schools Sports Policy.
“The program will develop players throughout their entire journey from an early age into professional players and will integrate football education with the current school curriculum. We thank the investor for recognising the potential in Rwanda and committing to investing in the country.”
“Talent development is an essential aspect of athletes’ development pathways, and under this program, we are confident that young football talents will be nurtured into future professional players,” the minister said.
The race began at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, February 21st, with 90 cyclists embarking from Karongi to Rubavu, covering a 93-kilometer route. The race’s initial phase witnessed multiple breakaway attempts, with Eritrean cyclist Araya and Algerian Azzedine Lagab making notable efforts to advance.
Chris Froome also made a solo breakaway, albeit temporarily, before being absorbed back into the main group.
Pierre Latour of TotalEnergies later surged ahead, creating a considerable distance from the peloton.
He maintained this lead until Brieuc Rolland from Groupama-FDJ overtook him, setting up an exciting climax. However, the pack caught up with Rolland as they neared Rubavu, leading to a mass sprint towards the finish.
In the race’s critical moments, William Lecerf Junior showcased exceptional speed, breaking away to secure the victory. This win underscored the collective strength of the Soudal Quick-Step team, with Pepijn Reinderink successfully holding onto the overall lead.
Additionally, Mugisha Moise’s performance as the top Rwandan, securing the 18th spot with the same time as Lecerf, was noteworthy. He solidified his position as a promising national talent, ranking 17th in the general classification, only seven seconds behind the leader.
The race kicked off with an early breakaway featuring Munyaneza Didier of Rwanda among other spirited cyclists. Despite their efforts, the main group managed to reel in the breakaway, setting the stage for a compact finish. The final 20 kilometers saw several attempts to escape from the peloton, with Itamar Einhorn, the victor of the second stage, William Lecerf Junior, and Pierre Latour making notable efforts. However, their attempts were in vain as the peloton stayed together for a mass finish.
At a crucial moment, Restrepo launched an attack and successfully distanced himself from his rivals, emulating his 2020 success on the same route. In the meantime, Dutch cyclist Pepijn Reinderink of the Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team captured the yellow jersey, setting the stage for an exciting battle in the upcoming stages. The next stage promises more thrilling action as it leads the riders from Karongi to Rubavu. The Tour of Rwanda 2024 continues to excite and entertain, highlighting the exceptional skills and strategies of the competitors in this renowned race.
Riding for the UCI Pro Team Israel Premier Tech, Einhorn outpaced William Junior Lecerf and Pepijn Reinderink of the Soudal Quick-Step team, along with Javier Serrano Rodriguez from the Polti Kometa team, securing the first place at the finish line in Kibeho. He completed the 129 km track in three hours, 17 minutes, and 31 seconds.
This victory not only highlighted Einhorn as the first Israeli cyclist to win a stage at the Tour of Rwanda but also underscored his status as the reigning national road race champion of Israel for the last two years.
Eritrea’s Merhawi Kudus, the 2019 Tour of Rwanda winner, finished strong in the top 10. The stage ended with all leading times marked at 3h 17min 31s.
The victory did not come easily, especially towards the end, with Vervenne holding a slim five-second lead just four kilometers from the finish line. Despite the pressure, his exceptional time-trialling abilities shone through, enabling him to maintain the lead and achieve a memorable victory. The Soudal Quick-Step team’s performance sets a high standard as they lead the peloton into the second stage of the race.
Their closest competitors, Israel Premier Tech, finished the course in 21 minutes and 8 seconds, followed by other teams that also gave strong performances. Team Rwanda 2024, representing the host nation, secured the ninth position with a time of 21 minutes and 56 seconds, demonstrating the depth of talent across the teams.
The 16th edition of the Tour of Rwanda began with the team time trial, covering a route that will be featured in the 2025 World Championships. The course stretched from the BK Arena in Kigali to the Kigali Convention Center, with the final 2300 meters presenting a slight incline, adding an extra layer of challenge to the competitors.
As the race moves forward, the peloton is set to tackle a 130-kilometer journey from Muhanga to Kibeho in the second stage, promising more thrilling cycling action in the days to come.
Peter Agblevol’s brace in the second half was enough for the law enforcers to lift the trophy in front of the fully parked stadium.
APR FC opened the score through Nshimiyimana Yunusu’s header in the 13th minute but the law enforcers’ defense had a hard task to contain serial attacks from APR wings, to prevent further leaks.
Police had its double efforts denied by the APR goalkeeper, Nzila Pavelh on the stroke of the first half.
Peter Agblevol made no mistake, however, in the 75th minute to utilize Djibrine Akuki’s cross to nod in past Nzila to make it 1-1.
Attacks from APR from time to time in the second half yielded no positive results.
It was rather Agblevol’s last nail in the dying minutes of second period that put Police FC in command, after a quick through-in from Muhadjiri to midfielder Abed Bigirimana, who passed the gift of Agblevol to bury the ball inside the net, to make it 2-1.
APR FC and Police FC eliminated Musanze and Rayon Sport in the semifinals, on penalties.
This year’s Heroes Day was celebrated under the theme “Heroism among Rwandans, our Dignity.”
Ministry records indicate that out of the 5,000 individuals intended for transfer, only about 700 can be located at present.
Officials estimate that the first flight could carry between 100 and 150 people, depending on the whereabouts of those still unaccounted for.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that transfers are scheduled to commence early this year, pending legislative approval.
The proposed bill seeks to eliminate specific legal barriers related to the UK’s policy with Rwanda and make amendments to aspects of human rights law. This would grant ministers the authority to override judgments from European courts.
However, the bill faced criticism last week from 50 MPs, who called for a reassessment and reforms to strengthen it.
Initially planned for June 2022, the transfer was halted by the European Court of Human Rights.
The primary challenge faced by the ministry remains locating the majority of the concerned migrants. Additionally, the transportation process from reception centers to planes is complicated by various obstacles, including protests, adverse weather conditions, and resistance from those responsible for monitoring and escorting migrants.
Suggestions have arisen that the Home Office could use Ministry of Defence aircraft to expedite the process, but the military has declined involvement in this plan.
Concerns have been raised about Rwanda’s preparedness, especially regarding the availability of lawyers to assist migrants. However, a recent agreement between the two countries aims to address these shortcomings by strengthening Rwanda’s judicial system.
The increasing influx of migrants to the UK and their disappearance before placement in transit centers further complicates the situation, potentially delaying transfers due to insufficient numbers.
Speaking to The Telegraph; Yvette Cooper, a political analyst at the Home Office highlighted numerous challenges in the transfer process. Although 17,000 people were initially expected, many remain unaccounted for.
In December last year, the UK proposed legislation facilitating the sending of migrants to Rwanda, a day after the British Home Secretary signed a new agreement in Kigali.
This agreement, initially signed in 2022, was revised following concerns from the UK Supreme Court regarding the legality of the approach and the risks of returning migrants to their home countries.
The new agreement and the bill aim to address the concerns expressed by the British Supreme Court.
The much-anticipated tournament kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony on Saturday night in Abidjan, the commercial capital of Cote d’Ivoire, where the spotlight is on the continent’s premier football talents.
The event, spanning a month, will witness the participation of 24 national teams vying for glory at six stadiums across five cities as they seek to claim the AFCON title.
Many Chinese football fans, wearing orange, white and green T-shirts — colors of the national flag of Cote d’Ivoire — joined passionate crowds singing and dancing to afrobeat and rap. Together with hundreds of thousands of Chinese people living in Africa, they share the joy and pride of the locals about the grand event.
Beyond the realm of sports, the tournament is viewed as a golden opportunity to stimulate the local economy, foster international cooperation, and showcase African culture on a global stage. As the country sets the stage for this grand event, all eyes are on the unfolding drama and excitement that AFCON 2023 promises to deliver.
{{Glory of African Football }}
In the first match, Cote d’Ivoire secured a 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara stadium, following an opening celebration of African culture with the participation of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, African football chief Patrice Motsepe, and Cote d’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara, who proudly declared his country “a land of football.”
In the last few decades, African football has made remarkable progress, with notable achievements on the global stage. Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana made their mark by reaching the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup, while Morocco’s remarkable journey led them to the semifinals of the 2022 tournament.
The influence of African players worldwide is growing, with many top clubs boasting talents from the continent in their ranks. Icons like Liverpool’s “Egyptian King” Mohamed Salah, West Ham’s dynamic Ghana midfielder Mohammed Kudus and Stuttgart’s Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy have become integral to the success of their respective teams.
Those players, many of whom honed their skills on grassless pitches or sandy beaches during their childhood, now serve as inspirational figures for youth across Africa.
“This is fantastic,” said Serges Deble, a player from Cote d’Ivoire. “After everything we have been through, AFCON marks good progression for development in our country and the whole of Africa.” Born in Abidjan and embarking on his football journey at the age of 16, Deble has represented his country at U20 and U23 levels and has pursued his profession in both Europe and Asia. He spent two years playing for China’s Meizhou Hakka, which he called “a fantastic memory.”
Commenting on the progress in the football industry in Africa, he said, “Things are turning better for African football players.” However, he added, there is still room for increased investment to fortify the industry across the continent, and China is a natural partner in this regard.
“China already started. Not only in football but in many markets, and many people want to work with China. Our government is working closely with China. It is good collaboration. Maybe after football, I will go to China to make my business,” Deble said.
{{Long-term legacy}}
Cooperation between China and Africa in the football industry dates back more than a decade. Chinese companies assisted African countries in constructing stadiums used for AFCON 2012, 2017 and 2021. This year, China has helped Cote d’Ivoire build key infrastructure to facilitate the matches.
The president of Cote d’Ivoire’s Football Federation, Idriss Diallo, said that the country has committed investments in infrastructure linked to the competition, including the construction of four new stadiums, road improvements, as well as the renovation of hospitals and airports. Among these, the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, situated in Ebimpe on the outskirts of Abidjan, stands as a long-term legacy for the nation.
The stadium, with a seating capacity of 60,000, is scheduled to host the opening and final matches of AFCON 2023. Completed by the Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG) and handed over to the local government in 2020, this stadium is now recognized as one of the most modern in Africa. Complemented by ancillary facilities like Olympic City, it is part of a broader plan to develop the northern outskirts of Abidjan.
Even before the tournament’s opening, the stadium had become a point of interest for football fans. Taxi driver Kone Adama said, “I am as busy as a bee these two weeks. I have been taking fans in various jerseys from the airport, and they always want to make a stop first at the national stadium.”
When President Alassane Ouattara attended the stadium’s inauguration in October 2020, he recalled that the first president of the country, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, planned to build an Olympic city in Epimbe. More than 40 years later, the completion of the stadium fulfilled the wishes of several generations of leaders and tens of millions of people in Cote d’Ivoire, Ouattara said.
In addition to the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Chinese companies have also constructed two additional arenas and several key roads, addressing the potential congestion on Abidjan’s thoroughfares as tens of thousands of football enthusiasts are coming to the country for the tournament.
Moreover, the Chinese technological firm TECNO, also the official sponsor of the tournament, has embarked on a campaign to renovate 100 football fields in underprivileged communities across 12 African countries to make football accessible to everyone and unleash the potential of young football enthusiasts.
“It is all about empowering African children in the sports sector by providing them the joy of playing on lush fields,” said Guo Lei, TECNO’s general manager.
{{Long-lasting friendship}}
The connection between China and Africa, as exemplified in AFCON 2023, is part of broader ties nurtured by generations on both sides.
Lu Lu, the manager of BCEG’s Cote d’Ivoire branch, said she was impressed by the China-Africa friendship and felt “the warmth of the African people toward the Chinese” while working in several African countries since 2010.
In Togo, local patients expressed their gratitude by sending fruits to Chinese doctors, while in Mali, appreciation for Chinese assistance in constructing a university was shown as locals filled pick-up trucks with oranges, delivering them to Chinese workers on the construction site. Even during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, African businessmen extended their support by donating money at the Chinese embassies, she recalled.
“People often say that with my experiences, I am considered an African now and should stay on the continent forever,” Lu said.
Her connection to Africa is deeply rooted and shaped by her father’s experiences. As a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, Lu’s father arrived in Gabon in 1995 as part of a cooperative agreement between the governments of the two countries. He was among the medical staff dedicated to advancing healthcare in Africa over the past 60 years.
Since the deployment of the first Chinese medical team to Algeria in 1963, China has sent 30,000 medical personnel to 76 countries and regions across five continents, with a primary focus on Africa, providing 290 million diagnoses and treatments for local communities.
Over the past decades, China-Africa cooperation, with joint efforts, has yielded fruitful results. The two sides have built railways, highways, airports and seaports, improving connectivity both within the continent and with the rest of the world. They have also constructed renewable energy power plants, providing local populations with access to electricity without causing environmental damage.
After AFCON 2023 kicked off on Saturday, people living in remote areas in Cote d’Ivoire and other African countries were able to watch the matches at home, thanks to broadcast services provided by StarTimes, a Chinese digital TV operator. The satellite TV project was announced at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Since then, the project has helped nearly 10,000 villages in more than 20 African countries receive digital TV signals.
The ninth forum is expected to be held in China later this year, during which Chinese and African leaders will discuss new initiatives to bring benefits to people on both sides.
Reflecting on China-Africa cooperation, Deble said “I know the Chinese people are here to help, not only in football but in so many industries … We are together on the path to development.”
“Prior to our arrival in Africa, our predecessors had dedicated their lives to fostering China-Africa friendship, and we deeply admire their accomplishments. Their efforts have left an invaluable legacy that serves as both inspiration and guidance for our mission today,” Lu said.
In a show of rising young talent, England’s Jude Bellingham, who plays for Real Madrid, was honored with the Kopa Trophy, celebrating the world’s finest player under the age of 21. Messi’s achievement surpassed competition from Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and France’s Kylian Mbappe, who made history with a World Cup final hat-trick.
Messi expressed his gratitude, saying, “It’s nice to be here once more to enjoy this moment,” adding, “To be able to win the World Cup and achieve my dream.” He reflected on his incredible career, hailing the fortune of being part of the “best team in history.”
Erling Haaland, the Norwegian international, was acknowledged for his goal-scoring prowess with the Gerd Muller Trophy. Haaland’s record-breaking 36 league goals in 35 games helped secure a Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup treble for Manchester City. In his speech, he thanked Manchester City and his support network for shaping his journey.
With this eighth Ballon d’Or win, Messi continues to distance himself from the competition, having claimed three more titles than anyone else. Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, didn’t make the shortlist for the first time in nearly two decades.
The Yashin Trophy for the world’s best goalkeeper went to Emiliano Martinez, the Argentine World Cup champion and Aston Villa’s shot-stopper. Despite his accomplishments, he faced some jeers at the Paris ceremony, likely due to a controversial celebration following their World Cup win against France.
For the second consecutive year, Manchester City was named the Club of the Year, becoming the second English club to secure a Treble. They had seven players nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr was recognized with the Socrates Award for his commitment to combating racism in football. The Brazilian winger, who has experienced racist abuse in La Liga, started a foundation that builds schools and invests in education in impoverished areas.
David Beckham, the former England and Manchester United midfielder, paid tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton before presenting Messi with the Ballon d’Or. Sir Bobby Charlton, a legendary figure in football, recently passed away at the age of 86. Beckham highlighted Sir Bobby’s tremendous impact, both on and off the field, acknowledging that he played a pivotal role in his career and owed him everything.
The decision to rebrand the competition was driven by the desire to align it with the well-established Basketball Africa League (BAL), which has firmly rooted itself in the African basketball landscape over the course of three years.
While the tournament has undergone a name change, there have been no alterations to the participating teams or the game format. The top two performing teams in the tournament will secure an immediate ticket to compete in the official FIBA Africa Women Basketball League, set to be held in Cairo, Egypt, from December 8th to 17th, 2023.
In addition to the nomenclature change, the tournament’s dates have been adjusted, moving from the original schedule of October 21st to 28th, 2023, to the new dates of October 28th to November 4th, 2023. Nyirishema Richard, the deputy director of competitions at the Rwanda Basketball Association, cited the need to consider available infrastructure, notably the BK ARENA, as the preferred venue for the finals.
This competition will bring together ten teams from six countries, with Rwanda serving as the host nation. The participating teams include APR WBBC, who secured the 2023 Championship Cup, and REG WBBC, the runner-up.
Other participating teams comprise Vijana Queens and JKT Stars from Tanzania, Nile Legends from South Sudan, JKL Lady Dolphins and UCU Lady Canons from Uganda, Kenya Ports Authority and Zetech University from Kenya, and Gladiators from Burundi.
APR WBBC last competed in the ‘Zone V Preliminaries Women Club Championship’ in Tanzania from September 26th to October 1st, 2022, securing a third-place finish by defeating REG WBBC from Rwanda with a score of 42-39.
The championship trophy was claimed by Alexandria Sporting Club (ASC) from Egypt, who triumphed over Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in the final match with a score of 78-67. APR’s third-place finish earned them a spot in the 2022 FIBA Women Champions Club African Games held in Maputo, Mozambique, from December 9th to 17th, 2022, where they ranked eighth among the ten participating teams.
Preparations for the teams representing Rwanda, including REG WBBC and APR WBBC, are in full swing. All the test matches are scheduled to be held at the LDK Gymnasium.
