Kigali — President Paul Kagame on Friday joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino and more than 200 boys and girls from football academies across Rwanda for a holiday football clinic held at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, highlighting the role of sport in youth development and peace-building.
The clinic was organised under FIFA’s Football for Schools programme, which was launched in Kigali in 2023 to support children’s education and personal growth through football. Each participating child received a football as part of the initiative.
Addressing the young players and guests, President Kagame praised football as a powerful tool for unity and peace, particularly in a region still grappling with instability.
“The President of FIFA has explained well the good things football delivers to people, especially young people, of all backgrounds,” President Kagame said. “There is something else he didn’t mention: he uses football to bring people together for peace, amahoro. This stadium is called Amahoro Stadium, so this is the right place to use football to actually deliver peace.”
He added that while peace remains fragile in parts of the region, sport can play a meaningful role in bridging divisions. “We don’t have enough peace in our region, but he has been using football to contribute to bringing peace in our region and beyond,” President Kagame said.
The Rwandan leader also emphasised the importance of teamwork and collective effort, drawing parallels between football and broader national development.
“Individual skill and knowledge are not enough if they do not benefit the team,” he said. “Everyone brings their abilities to build the team, and when the team wins, it is a collective victory.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino commended Rwanda’s commitment to youth development through sport and reiterated FIFA’s support for programmes that combine education, football, and social values.
The event formed part of holiday activities aimed at nurturing young talent, promoting inclusion, and reinforcing football’s role as a unifying force in Rwanda and beyond.
