The FIFA President Mr. Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafström condoled the death of former FERWAFA Secretary General Jules César Kalisa, who passed away on Sept. 6.

In a letter addressed to the FERWAFA General Secretary Bonnie Mugabe, the FIFA President and Secretary General said, “We would like to express our sincerest and heartfelt condolences on the passing of the former FERWAFA General Secretary, Jules César Kalisa. Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel for this loss,”.

“A prominent figure in Rwandan football, he served for many years as Secretary General of the Fédération Rwandaise de Football Association (FERWAFA). Throughout his distinguished career, there is no doubt that he made a significant contribution to the development of football in his country,”

“He was also a member of the inaugural FIFA CIES Master’s programme in 2000–2001. His legacy and achievements, and in particular his passion for football and his outstanding human qualities, will never be forgotten. He will be deeply missed,”

The letter further read, “On behalf of the international football community, we wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the Fédération Rwandaise de Football Association, to the FIFA Master Alumni community, and to Jules César Kalisa’s family, friends and loved ones. Our thoughts are with all of you,”

Kalisa, who served as Secretary General of the Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA) from 1999 to 2011, died in India on September 6 following a long illness. He was 55.

The final farewell will take place on Monday, September 14, beginning with a final tribute at Kalisa’s residence on KG 214 Street in Kigali from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

A requiem Mass will then be held at Regina Pacis Parish at noon, followed by the burial ceremony at Rusororo Cemetery in Gasabo District.