Kigali, June 6, 2026 -Association Ijabo Ryawe Rwanda distributed 120 footballs to various youth football academies across the City of Kigali as part of its efforts to promote football development among young children through the Grassroots Festival 2026 program.
The event took place at Tapis Rouge Playground in Nyamirambo and brought together more than 700 children from over 40 football academies operating across Kigali. The participants included both boys and girls under the age of 15 who possess talent and passion for football.
The event was attended by several sports leaders and stakeholders, 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, league officials, coaches, and various partners.
The Grassroots Festival, organized by Association Ijabo Ryawe Rwanda, aims to encourage young children to embrace football, promote healthy development, and inspire them to use their talents as a pathway for personal growth and future opportunities.
In his remarks, the President of Association Ijabo Ryawe Rwanda, Sheikh Habimana Hamdani, emphasized that the development of football begins at the grassroots level. He called upon football academies and parents to continue supporting children’s talents so that they can become the players of tomorrow.
He stated that Association Ijabo Ryawe Rwanda is strengthening its efforts to support and develop youth academies so that they can operate professionally and produce players capable of raising the standard of football in Rwanda.
Sheikh Hamdani also highlighted new regulations governing youth player development, noting that clear mechanisms have now been established to protect academies that invest in nurturing and developing young players. He stated:
“A new regulation has been introduced to ensure that academies that develop players receive the compensation and recognition they deserve. No child or parent will be able to deny the role of an academy in a player’s development because the procedures are now clear and well established.”
He further announced that following the conclusion of the Grassroots Festival in Kigali, the next activities will continue in Rwanda’s Western Province, where the First League competitions are scheduled to take place at Umuganda Stadium on June 20, 2026.
Speaking on behalf of FERWAFA, First Vice President in Charge of Technical Affairs Richard Mugisha commended the contribution of Association Ijabo Ryawe Rwanda in promoting football among young children, noting that such initiatives help build a strong foundation for the future of Rwandan football.
He also revealed that FERWAFA has launched a capacity-building program for coaches working with young players. The initiative includes training sessions designed to equip coaches with modern methods and best practices for coaching and nurturing young football talent.
Richard Mugisha further affirmed that FERWAFA will continue to collaborate with and support Association Ijabo Ryawe Rwanda as a valued FERWAFA member committed to the development of grassroots football and the future of the game in Rwanda.
Participants expressed their excitement upon receiving the new footballs and actively took part in various sporting and recreational activities organized during the Grassroots Festival 2026. The event concluded with renewed hope and commitment toward the sustainable development and promotion of young football talents across the country.
