Federation of Rwanda Football Association (Ferwafa) have officially written to regional Football governing body CECAFA pulling out of the forthcoming inaugural CECAFA U23 tournament which is slated to take place from 17th July to 31st July.
The new format of tournament bars to a number of players who are above 23 years and allows only 3 players who above that edge bracket.
Rwanda will not be featuring in the second consecutive Cecafa tournament having also missed the previous tournament that was held in Uganda 2019.
“Federation Rwandaise de Football Association would like to inform the general public and members of the media that due to recrudescence of Covid-19 pandemic in the country in the region and Rwanda particularly which raises assumptions of the presence of the highly infectious Covid-19 Delta variant,” reads part of Statement released by Ferwafa.
“Reference is also made to new Covid-19 preventive measures drawn by the Government of Rwanda imposing partial lockdown on most activities including contact and team sports as well as movement restrictions between districts, provinces and the city of Kigali.
“Rwanda U23 Football Team will not participate in CECAFA U23 tournament due to be held in Bahir – Dar, Ethiy from July 17th to 31st 2021.
Rwanda will not also send a representative in the upcoming inaugural CAF Women Champions League Zonal Qualifiers which will take place this month of July from 17th to 1st August.
“Scandinavian W FC as well will not take Part in the upcoming CAF WCL CECAFA zonal Qualifiers 2021 scheduled for July 17th to 31st July in Kenya.”
Scandinavian W FC had been drawn in group C alongside FAD Club (Djbouti) and Vihinga Queens (Kenya).
Rwanda have won this competition once that was 1999 when they defeated Kenya at the final.
