On the calm evening of November 4th, 2025, the FERWAFA Accommodation Facility opened its doors for the first time, not with fanfare or flashing lights, but through an act both humble and symbolic, hosting the Rwanda National U-17 Team as they entered residential camp in preparation for the CECAFA U-17 Challenge Cup to be held in Ethiopia from November 15, 2025.

The moment was presided over by the FERWAFA President, Mr. SHEMA NGOGA Fabrice, in the company of FERWAFA Executive Committee members, including the Commissioner in charge of Competitions and the Commissioner in charge of Development and Technical Matters.

Though the event marked a significant milestone, President SHEMA clarified that this was not the official launch of the facility, but rather a prelude, a glimpse into what is possible for Rwandan football.

“This was just a sign and a symbol of what is possible,” said President SHEMA. “We are glad that we started with our young talents, and I hope this is part of the decent treats for our young people, which may also translate into the positive results we expect.”

He further emphasized that the accommodation facility is more than a place to stay, it’s a strategic investment in sustainability and excellence.

“This facility will not only help to accommodate our teams,” he noted, “but will also generate income and reduce the costs we used to spend on the National Teams.”

Purposefully designed to nurture athletic excellence, the facility is envisioned as a sports-friendly ecosystem, soon to include football pitches and other games to make it a complete sporting hub.

“This kind of sports ecosystem will also enable other sports disciplines to enjoy the beauty of this facility and benefit from it,” added the President.

For now, the Rwanda U-17 Team has the honor of being the first to experience this space, part of what President SHEMA described as a “soft test”, to evaluate what works, what can be improved, and what more can be added to enhance its value.

As the sun set over FERWAFA headquarters that evening, it was clear that this was more than an opening, it was the dawn of a new era for Rwandan football, a testament to progress, vision, and the nurturing of future champions.