The Confederation African Football (CAF) has announced the partnership with the government of Rwanda to bolster the growth of African Football and Tourism.
The partnership aims to develop African football and tourism through the new African Football League (AFL) which will feature the best football clubs on the continent.
The League will attract teams from every region in Africa competing for a title every year with the inaugural edition officially opening Saturday, October 20, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Participating teams for this year’s competition include Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Wydad AC (Morocco), Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Enyimba (Nigeria), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), ATL. Petro Luanda (Angola) and Simba FC from Tanzania
The eight clubs were selected based on their current CAF rankings.
As a founding partner of the league, “Visit Rwanda” branding will be visible on the sleeves of player jerseys, in stadiums during games, in partner workshops, and events, broadcast and online media channels as well as websites.
In addition, AFL will work with Rwanda’s Ministry of Sports and the football governing body (FERWAFA) on youth football development initiatives, including developing a local youth league.
Through the partnership, national carrier, RwandAir, will be an airline partner of the league and will transport participating teams to countries that are among its routes.
CAF Secretary General Véron Mosengo-Omba said, “the partnership with “Visit Rwanda” is a great milestone. I am pleased to announce our exciting partnership with a nation that epitomizes the spirit of African football’s growth and potential.”
“Together, we will unlock new horizons for the beautiful game on our continent, showcasing its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and the passion of our fans. We can’t wait to embark on this incredible journey together with ‘Visit Rwanda’.”
source:The New Times