Paris Saint-Germain and Visit Rwanda proudly announce a partnership initiative – a tour of the “PSG Academy Rwanda”, scheduled to take place in the vibrant Rwandan cities of Kigali and Bugesera from April 1st to April 6th, 2024. This ground-breaking event aims to engage with the country’s growing young athletes, marking the PSG Academy Rwanda’s first venture beyond its established operations in Huye, where it annually hosts 200 young athletes.
In celebration of this partnership, two distinguished players from the Paris Saint-Germain women’s team, Paulina Dudek and Oriane Jean-François, have arrived in Rwanda to accompany this momentous tour.
Centered on the themes of sharing and discovery, the tour will spring to life as young Rwandans partake in football initiation sessions held in the stadiums of Kigali and Bugesera. Under the guidance of PSG Academy staff and the esteemed women players, the young athletes will be treated to an authentic PSG training experience infused with the expertise and excellence emblematic of the Parisian Club. Together, they will foster a love for football and share their invaluable knowledge with both girls and boys impassioned by the sport.
Concurrently, PSG Academy will host a specialized training day catering to nearly 50 coaches from the Rwandan Football Federation. This comprehensive program will encompass both theoretical and practical sessions, serving as a cornerstone in the perpetual exchange of knowledge between the club and the development of educational football within the country.
PSG Academy has been an integral presence in Rwanda’s capital city of Kigali since 2022, and this initiative seeks to fortify its commitment to sustainable football development.
Nadia Benmokhtar, Director of PSG Academy, remarked, “This landmark occasion marks the inaugural outreach of PSG Academy Rwanda beyond its established operations. Since its inception, PSG Academy has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of football and knowledge dissemination, particularly among Rwandan youth. This inaugural initiative, scheduled to evolve into an annual event, underscores our dedication to engaging with young talent on a broader scale”.
Setti Solomon, Chief Strategy and Communications Officer at Rwanda Development Board, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “We extend a warm welcome to Paulina Dudek, Oriane Jean-François, and the entire PSG Academy team to Rwanda. We believe this event will serve as a pivotal moment for budding talent in the two cities, providing them with invaluable learning experiences and inspiration from some of the finest players and coaches in the sport. Ultimately, it showcases Rwanda’s commitment to leveraging the power of sports as a catalyst for positive change in local communities”.
Furthermore, beyond its sporting significance, the roadshow carries immense cultural value. As the players fully immerse themselves in Rwanda’s rich heritage and diversity, they will actively engage with its culture, traditions, and people. These meaningful interactions serve to deepen the connection between Paris Saint-Germain and Rwanda while also shining a spotlight on Rwanda’s vibrant tourist attractions, facilitated by the partnership with Visit Rwanda.
About Paris Saint-Germain
Founded in 1970, Paris Saint-Germain is the most successful Football club and sports franchise in France and one of the top clubs in European elite. Owned by Qatar Sports Investment since 2011, the club has achieved fantastic results both on and off the pitch. The club has won a national record of 11 French titles and 49 trophies since its creation, including an impressive 31 trophies since 2011. Paris Saint-Germain has attracted many great players over the years, including Ronaldinho, Beckham, Ibrahimovic, Messi, Neymar Jr. and currently boasts some of the best players in the world. The club has a large and growing community of over 200 million social media followers, with over 200 million followers, making it one of the largest in world sport. Paris Saint-Germain is a forward-thinking club that has added an eSports team to its men’s football, women’s football, handball, and judo teams. Paris Saint-Germain is committed to creating positive social impact through the PSG For Communities which provides funding and programs dedicated to empowering disadvantaged young people.
About Visit Rwanda
Visit Rwanda is the tourism-focused arm of the Rwanda Development Board, a government body responsible for fast-tracking Rwanda’s economic development by enabling private sector growth. Visit Rwanda works with local conservation, tourism, and development partners to generate tourism products that benefit inbound tourists, local communities, and wildlife ecosystems. (End)