Latest news with #Jean-GuyAfrika
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bayern Munich to move away from its ‘Visit Rwanda' sponsorship this season after criticism from fans
Bayern Munich has signalled a significant reduction in its "Visit Rwanda" branding, transitioning away from a commercial sponsorship with the African nation following a backlash over its alleged support for rebels in neighbouring Congo. The German football champions announced a new agreement that reconfigures their existing partnership into a three-year deal, focusing instead on developing young players at a Bayern-affiliated academy in Rwanda. The original five-year deal, signed in 2023, saw Bayern dismiss allegations of "sportswashing" at the time. It included prominent "Visit Rwanda" advertisements within the stadium and aimed to promote tourism and investment opportunities in the country. This agreement had notably replaced a controversial sponsorship deal with Qatar. Rwanda maintains similar high-profile sponsorships with other European football giants, including Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, and Atletico Madrid. Public discontent with the partnership escalated in February when some Bayern fans displayed a large banner protesting the deal during a game. This came amid accusations from the United Nations that Rwanda has been backing rebel groups in eastern Congo. Under the revised terms, the focus shifts to a developmental initiative. Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen stated: "In constructive talks about our future direction, we agreed that a very special part of our relationship with (the Rwanda Development Board) was the developmental nature of our work in Kigali through the FC Bayern Academy. We are therefore transforming our commercial partnership into a talent programme and expanding the FC Bayern Academy in (Rwanda's capital) Kigali together with the RDB as both a football and social initiative. This remains perfectly aligned to our strategic objective of developing playing talent in Africa." Bayern did not specify the timeline for phasing out the "Visit Rwanda" branding, describing the change as a transition. As of Friday afternoon local time, the branding remained visible on a section of the club's website listing sponsors and partners. Jean-Guy Afrika, chief executive of the Rwanda Development Board, was quoted by Bayern as saying the changes aimed to "accelerate sports development," adding: "This continued partnership with FC Bayern helps ensure that talent development remains anchored in our broader vision to position Rwanda as a global hub for tourism, investment, and high-performance sport." Rwanda's presence in European football has steadily increased since 2018, when it first partnered with Arsenal to feature "Visit Rwanda" on the London club's shirt sleeves. An agreement with PSG was signed in 2019 and renewed in April this year, covering stadium branding and shirt-sleeve sponsorship at the Club World Cup. A three-year deal to sponsor Atletico Madrid, including branding on training and warm-up shirts, was agreed in April. The accusations against Rwanda centre on its alleged support for the M23 rebel group, which is the most potent of over 100 armed factions vying for dominance in mineral-rich eastern Congo, just across the border. Rwanda has also been accused of exploiting eastern Congo's minerals, which are crucial for products like smartphones and advanced fighter jets. However, Rwandan authorities counter these claims by alleging that some participants in the 1994 Rwandan genocide fled into Congo and are either collaborating with or being protected by the Congolese army. They have consistently denied involvement in Congo's minerals sector, asserting that any security actions taken are solely to protect their own territory. ___ AP soccer:
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- 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.
NDTV
5 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Bayern Munich Shifts Away From 'Visit Rwanda' Sponsorship After Criticism
Bayern Munich signaled Friday it will cut down on 'Visit Rwanda' branding as it moves 'away from a commercial sponsorship' with the African nation facing a backlash over alleged support for rebels in neighboring Congo. Bayern dismissed allegations of 'sportswashing' when it signed a five-year Rwanda deal in 2023. It included advertisements in the stadium and what Bayern called events 'to promote tourism and investment opportunities in Rwanda.' At the time, it replaced a controversial sponsorship deal with Qatar. Rwanda has similar sponsorships with European soccer giants like Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid. Some Bayern fans displayed a large banner at a game in February protesting the deal, amid accusations from the United Nations that Rwanda has backed rebels in neighboring Congo. Now the German soccer champion says it's reached a new deal with Rwanda which turns the existing sponsorship deal into a three-year agreement focusing on developing young soccer players at a Bayern-affiliated academy in the country. 'In constructive talks about our future direction, we agreed that a very special part of our relationship with (the Rwanda Development Board) was the developmental nature of our work in Kigali through the FC Bayern Academy,' Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said in a statement. "We are therefore transforming our commercial partnership into a talent programme and expanding the FC Bayern Academy in (Rwanda's capital) Kigali together with the RDB as both a football and social initiative. This remains perfectly aligned to our strategic objective of developing playing talent in Africa.' Bayern didn't specify how soon it would drop 'Visit Rwanda' branding as part of the move, which is described as a transition. As of Friday afternoon local time, the branding was still displayed under a section of the Bayern website listing club sponsors and partners. The RDB's chief executive, Jean-Guy Afrika, was quoted by Bayern as saying the changes to the partnership aimed to 'accelerate sports development,' adding: "This continued partnership with FC Bayern helps ensure that talent development remains anchored in our broader vision to position Rwanda as a global hub for tourism, investment, and high-performance sport.' Rwanda's presence in European soccer has grown steadily since 2018, when it first partnered with Arsenal to put 'Visit Rwanda' branding on the London club's shirt sleeves. An agreement with PSG was signed in 2019 and renewed in April this year. It covers branding in the stadium and included shirt-sleeve sponsorship at the Club World Cup. A three-year deal to sponsor Atletico was agreed in April including branding on training and warm-up shirts. Rwanda is accused of supporting the M23 rebel group, the most potent of more than 100 armed groups vying for dominance in mineral-rich eastern Congo just across the border with Rwanda. Rwanda also has been accused of exploiting eastern Congo's minerals, used in smartphones, advanced fighter jets and much more. However, Rwandan authorities allege some of those who participated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide fled into Congo and are either working with or are being protected by the Congolese army. They have denied involvement in Congo's minerals sector and said any security action taken is to protect its territory.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bayern Munich shifts away from ‘Visit Rwanda' sponsorship after criticism
MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich signaled Friday it will cut down on 'Visit Rwanda' branding as it moves 'away from a commercial sponsorship' with the African nation facing a backlash over alleged support for rebels in neighboring Congo. Bayern dismissed allegations of 'sportswashing' when it signed a five-year Rwanda deal in 2023. It included advertisements in the stadium and what Bayern called events 'to promote tourism and investment opportunities in Rwanda.' At the time, it replaced a controversial sponsorship deal with Qatar. Rwanda has similar sponsorships with European soccer giants like Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid. Some Bayern fans displayed a large banner at a game in February protesting the deal, amid accusations from the United Nations that Rwanda has backed rebels in neighboring Congo. Now the German soccer champion says it's reached a new deal with Rwanda which turns the existing sponsorship deal into a three-year agreement focusing on developing young soccer players at a Bayern-affiliated academy in the country. 'In constructive talks about our future direction, we agreed that a very special part of our relationship with (the Rwanda Development Board) was the developmental nature of our work in Kigali through the FC Bayern Academy,' Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said in a statement. 'We are therefore transforming our commercial partnership into a talent programme and expanding the FC Bayern Academy in (Rwanda's capital) Kigali together with the RDB as both a football and social initiative. This remains perfectly aligned to our strategic objective of developing playing talent in Africa.' Bayern didn't specify how soon it would drop 'Visit Rwanda' branding as part of the move, which is described as a transition. As of Friday afternoon local time, the branding was still displayed under a section of the Bayern website listing club sponsors and partners. The RDB's chief executive, Jean-Guy Afrika, was quoted by Bayern as saying the changes to the partnership aimed to 'accelerate sports development,' adding: 'This continued partnership with FC Bayern helps ensure that talent development remains anchored in our broader vision to position Rwanda as a global hub for tourism, investment, and high-performance sport.' Rwanda's presence in European soccer has grown steadily since 2018, when it first partnered with Arsenal to put 'Visit Rwanda' branding on the London club's shirt sleeves. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. An agreement with PSG was signed in 2019 and renewed in April this year. It covers branding in the stadium and included shirt-sleeve sponsorship at the Club World Cup. A three-year deal to sponsor Atletico was agreed in April including branding on training and warm-up shirts. Rwanda is accused of supporting the M23 rebel group, the most potent of more than 100 armed groups vying for dominance in mineral-rich eastern Congo just across the border with Rwanda. Rwanda also has been accused of exploiting eastern Congo's minerals, used in smartphones, advanced fighter jets and much more. However, Rwandan authorities allege some of those who participated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide fled into Congo and are either working with or are being protected by the Congolese army. They have denied involvement in Congo's minerals sector and said any security action taken is to protect its territory. ___ AP soccer:
Business Insider
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Rwanda becomes first African sponsor for football giants, Atlético Madrid
The 'Visit Rwanda' campaign has secured a new partnership with Spanish football giants Atlético Madrid, expanding its growing roster of elite football club sponsors. Rwanda's 'Visit Rwanda' campaign partners with Atlético Madrid, adding to its sponsorship deals with Arsenal, PSG, and Bayern Munich The deal includes a technical development component for young Rwandan players and coaches Critics have raised concerns about the government prioritizing sponsorships over pressing domestic concerns This latest three-year sponsorship agreement makes Atlético Madrid the fourth major European club to feature Rwanda's tourism branding, following similar deals with Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and Bayern Munich. As part of the partnership, the "Visit Rwanda" logo will appear on the kits of both Atlético Madrid's men's and women's teams beginning next season. The move is part of Rwanda's strategic push to market itself as a premier global tourism and investment destination through high-profile sports marketing. Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, said: 'Through this collaboration, we aim to showcase Rwanda as an attractive destination for investors, a unique experience for global travelers, and a platform for nurturing talent and expanding opportunities for young Africans through sport. ' Óscar Mayo, Atlético de Madrid's General Director of Revenue and Operations, emphasized: ' Visit Rwanda's great importance as a partner in our club's goal of international expansion. We are always looking for partners with global solvency, linked to football and Visit Rwanda is an example of this. It is a country in constant growth and I am convinced that we will both benefit from this partnership.' The deal also includes a technical development component that will grant young Rwandan players and coaches access to Atlético Madrid's world-class training expertise. Protests mount over 'Visit Rwanda' sponsorships While the Rwandan government celebrates this milestone, critics—including some human rights organizations—have questioned the country's priorities, arguing that high-profile sponsorships come at the expense of pressing domestic concerns such as governance, civil liberties, and press freedom. This new partnership comes amid ongoing protests from Arsenal supporters, who have criticized the club's association with Rwanda due to the country's alleged involvement in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the BBC, Arsenal's management has declined to comment on the activities of a new rights group within the club - the Gunners for Peace campaign, which is pressuring the club to drop its sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda. The Congolese government also protested the sponsorship deals, urging clubs like Arsenal to cancel their partnerships with Visit Rwanda. This call to action stems from allegations of Rwanda's involvement in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which the Congolese government strongly condemns. A Rwanda government spokesperson defended their sports partnerships, saying they help boost the country's economy.
