
Rwanda inks new three-year talent development agreement with Bayern
The agreement to run until 2028 marks a strategic evolution of their partnership, transforming the relationship from a commercial sponsorship to a dedicated partnership focusing on football development in Rwanda through the expansion of the FC Bayern Youth Academy in Kigali, RDB said in a statement.
"In constructive talks about our future direction, we agreed that a very special part of our relationship with RDB was the developmental nature of our work in Kigali through the FC Bayern Academy," Jan-Christian Dreesen, Chief Executive Officer of FC Bayern Munich, said.
Jean-Guy Afrika, Chief Executive Officer of the RDB, said the success of the FC Bayern Academy in Kigali offers a great example of what strategic sports partnerships can achieve.
"As we enter a new phase, we are refocusing our resources to accelerate sports development, with emphasis on talent identification, coaching excellence, and sports infrastructure," he said.
Recently, two promising Rwandan footballers, Ndayishimiye Barthazar and David Okoce, were selected to the U19 FC Bayern World Squad for its 2025 edition.
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New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Bayern ends Rwanda tourism sponsorship after criticism
MUNICH: Bayern Munich will end a sponsorship promoting tourism in Rwanda after controversy relating to the ongoing conflict in the region. Yesterday Bayern announced its partnership with the African nation, initially signed in 2023 and set to run until 2028, would shift to focus on a youth academy. "The new arrangement transitions away from a commercial sponsorship to a dedicated partnership focusing on football development in Rwanda through the expansion of the FC Bayern Youth Academy in Kigali," Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said in a statement. The statement did not expressly mention the underlying reasons for the shift, but German media on Friday widely reported the decision was motivated by criticism as a result of the escalating conflict. In February, Bayern fans held up a banner at a home game saying the deal "betrayed the values" of the club. The Rwandan government has been accused of disregarding human rights and supporting rebels fighting against government forces in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the beginning of this year, violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo intensified. The Rwandan-backed M23 armed group and Rwandan troops seized Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, in January, and then Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, in February. The UN estimates thousands have died as a result of the attacks. The deal included 'Visit Rwanda' advertising at Bayern's 75,000-seat Allianz Arena home ground and replaced a controversial deal with Qatar, which was also criticised by the club's supporters. Following criticism of the previous deal, Bayern sent staff to Rwanda to assess the situation on the ground. The new contract runs until 2028.


The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Bayern Munich ends Rwanda tourism deal amid conflict criticism
BAYERN MUNICH will terminate its tourism sponsorship deal with Rwanda following criticism linked to the ongoing conflict in the region. The German football club announced the partnership, signed in 2023 and originally set to run until 2028, will now focus solely on youth development. 'The new arrangement transitions away from a commercial sponsorship to a dedicated partnership focusing on football development in Rwanda through the expansion of the FC Bayern Youth Academy in Kigali,' said Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen. While the club did not directly cite the conflict as the reason for the change, German media reported the decision followed mounting criticism. In February, Bayern fans displayed a banner during a match accusing the deal of betraying the club's values. Rwanda has faced accusations of human rights violations and supporting rebel groups in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo. Violence in eastern Congo escalated in early 2025, with Rwandan-backed forces seizing key cities. The UN estimates thousands have died due to the conflict. Bayern's previous sponsorship included 'Visit Rwanda' branding at the Allianz Arena, replacing a contentious deal with Qatar. The club had previously sent staff to Rwanda to assess conditions before finalising the new agreement. Other top European clubs like Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain have also faced scrutiny over similar Rwanda sponsorships. - AFP


The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Rwanda inks new three-year talent development agreement with Bayern
KIGALI, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said Friday it has signed a three-year agreement with Germany's FC Bayern Munich focusing on talent development. The agreement to run until 2028 marks a strategic evolution of their partnership, transforming the relationship from a commercial sponsorship to a dedicated partnership focusing on football development in Rwanda through the expansion of the FC Bayern Youth Academy in Kigali, RDB said in a statement. "In constructive talks about our future direction, we agreed that a very special part of our relationship with RDB was the developmental nature of our work in Kigali through the FC Bayern Academy," Jan-Christian Dreesen, Chief Executive Officer of FC Bayern Munich, said. Jean-Guy Afrika, Chief Executive Officer of the RDB, said the success of the FC Bayern Academy in Kigali offers a great example of what strategic sports partnerships can achieve. "As we enter a new phase, we are refocusing our resources to accelerate sports development, with emphasis on talent identification, coaching excellence, and sports infrastructure," he said. Recently, two promising Rwandan footballers, Ndayishimiye Barthazar and David Okoce, were selected to the U19 FC Bayern World Squad for its 2025 edition.