Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame mentioned in a televised “Ask the President” session with the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), the need for immediate action to tackle various challenges affecting Rwandan football, including the issue of witchcraft.
President Kagame expressed his concerns about unethical practices, specifically mentioning the involvement of certain individuals, particularly coaches, in activities related to witchcraft within the sport.
He called for measures to address these issues and ensure the promotion of ethical conduct in Rwandan football.
“Instead of adequate training, you find them engaging in witchcraft or bribery, which is the first thing that needs to be addressed,” he said.
Despite substantial investment in the sports sector, the country’s teams have struggled to achieve success.
Rwanda’s national football team have only qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations once, in 2004, and are currently bottom of their qualifying group having yet to win a match.
Mr Kagame is a well-known football fan, and follows English club Arsenal. Rwanda’s Tourism Authority has had a controversial £30m ($42m) sponsorship deal with the club since 2018.