Children train at Don Bosco Kabgayi Football Training Center in Muhanga District
At the training field of Oratoire Don Bosco Kabgayi, in Shyogwe Sector in Muhanga District, the sound of children running after a football can be heard, laughing and sharing their dreams.
These children are among those who take part in the football training program of Don Bosco Kabgayi Football Training Center, established in 2011, a youth-driven project that uses sport as a way to develop talent, values, and hope for the future.
In Rwanda, where young people make up a large portion of the population, sport is increasingly becoming an important tool for developing talent and helping young people access new opportunities.
Every Saturday and Sunday, more than 60 boys and girls gather on this field to participate in different training sessions. They are divided into age categories including U8, U10, U12, U15, and U17.
Players are organized into age categories ranging from U8 to U17 during weekly training sessions.
For the coaches of this center, football is not only about scoring goals.It is a way of teaching children discipline, teamwork, respect, and self-confidence.
Many of the children who take part in this program come from ordinary families, where opportunities to access sports training are not easily available. For them, the football field becomes a place to learn, grow, and think about their future.
More than eight players who have gone through this program have reached first and second division football clubs in Rwanda, while more than 30 others are in the labor market working in different sectors. This gives hope that the talent within young children can grow to higher levels. For many children, seeing their peers reach top teams makes their dreams feel achievable.
Several graduates have progressed to first and second division clubs in Rwanda
In many rural areas of Africa, young people often face challenges such as lack of recreational activities, training opportunities, and places to develop their talents.Programs like that of Don Bosco Kabgayi Football Training Center aim to address this challenge, using sport as a platform to help children grow with a positive direction in life.
The secret behind the success of this center lies in following the educational philosophy of Saint John Bosco, a 19th-century priest who dedicated his life to helping disadvantaged and vulnerable young people. His “Preventive System” is the foundation of all activities at Kabgayi. This approach is based on three pillars: Reason, Religion, and Loving-Kindness. In the context of football, “Reason” means helping children understand the purpose of rules and training rather than simply following instructions without understanding.“Religion and Values” help young people develop life purpose, respect others, and live with strong moral principles.
But most importantly, “Loving-Kindness” ensures that coaches are not only authority figures, but also elder brothers and mentors who walk alongside the players, supporting them in their growth and life journey.
The Don Bosco educational approach emphasizes mentorship and guidance.
Coaches and leaders of this program encourage children to prioritize education, as they believe that academic learning and sport can go hand in hand in building their future.
“We realized early that football should not only be about scoring goals,” said TWIZEYIMANA Emmanuel, Head Coach at Don Bosco Kabgayi Football Training Center.“A goal lasts only a few seconds, but the values a child learns on the field last a lifetime. Our project uses the power of football to create a safe space where young people learn life skills, education, and their role in building the future of Rwanda.”
Head Coach TWIZEYIMANA Emmanuel emphasizes education and values in football development.
The leaders of this program say their goal is to expand its activities in the coming years.These include:
• Increasing the number of children participating in training to reach 100
• Acquiring sufficient training equipment
• Organizing children’s competitions at district level
• Strengthening partnerships with families and stakeholders supporting sport and youth development
For many families, this center is not just a place where children learn football, but a partner in their upbringing. In today’s world, characterized by social media distractions and social pressures that can mislead young people, this center provides support to every child, where each child feels valued, safe, and loved.
MUKAMANZI Marie Louise, a parent with a child at Don Bosco Kabgayi Football Training Center, said: “My son used to be a very shy child who struggled to make friends. Since he joined this football academy, he has developed visible confidence. He learned that he is part of a team and that he also has value in his family and country. Today, he is not only a player, but a respectful child, responsible, and someone who knows where he is going.”
Parents report visible changes in confidence and discipline among children
For the children playing on the Oratoire Don Bosco Kabgayi field, every training session is a step toward their dreams. Some, the dream is to play for big clubs. For others, it is to build self-confidence and gain direction in life.
Football at Don Bosco Kabgayi Football Training Center is not just a game. It is a pathway that opens opportunities for children to learn, connects them with mentors, and becomes a source of hope. By investing energy in educating and training children, they are building both their minds and hearts, ensuring that the future generation of Rwanda grows up with the ability to lead with wisdom, love, and an unshakable spirit of teamwork.
