CECAFA postponed

Feb 26, 2004

CECAFA on Thursday announced the postponement of this year's regional club championships in Rwanda owing to what council secretary, Nicholas Musonye said, ‘to allow Rwandese celebrate a decade of genocide in the country’ that claimed the lives of millions of people.

By Reuben Olita
and Norman Katende


CECAFA on Thursday announced the postponement of this year's regional club championships in Rwanda owing to what council secretary, Nicholas Musonye said, ‘to allow Rwandese celebrate a decade of genocide in the country’ that claimed the lives of millions of people.

The event had initially been earmarked for March 21-April 4 but it will now be held between April 25-May 9 in two venues of Kigali and Gisenyi.

Addressing the press in Nairobi, Musonye said CECAFA had acceded to requests from Rwanda Football Association to have the Kagame Club cup reshelved after the government put on hold all social activities for two weeks beginning April 1.

FUFA secretary Haruna Mawanda yesterday confirmed that they have received a communication from Nairobi to that effect.

"They have communicated. The hosts asked for a postponement because that is the season when they remember the genocide," said Mawanda.

He added that the postponement of the tournament was a blessing to the local clubs who he said had not got enough competition. The two have been given four weeks off action to prepare for the meet.

Uganda have entered three teams for the event, the first time in the history of the championships. They are defending champions SC Villa, Express and Simba.

Express are in Group 'A' together with Kenya's Ulinzi, APR(Rwanda) and Jamhuri (Zanzibar).

Simba are in Group 'B' that also includes El Hilal(Sudan), Anseba(Eritrea)and Simba (Tanzania while Villa are in Group 'C' together with Burundi's Muzinga and Kiyovu of Rwanda.

Musonye announced the cash prize to the tune of US$16,000 was already available courtesy of Rwandan leader Paul Kagame.

He said the winners will pocket an equivalent of Ksh2.5m, runners up Ksh1.6m and third-placed Ksh800,000.

Musonye said it was a record participation this time round and praised member countries for giving CECAFA president, Denis Obua respect through good representation.Meanwhile, FUFA is looking for $7800 (sh14.97m) to pay for the CAF debts before Ugandan clubs are given a green light to participate in the continental club championships.

SC Villa will be competing in the Champions League while Express will be taking part in the confederation Cup.

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