{"id":31502,"date":"2022-12-14T16:37:47","date_gmt":"2022-12-14T16:37:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/photos-skol-unveils-rwf500-million-stadium"},"modified":"2022-12-14T17:10:45","modified_gmt":"2022-12-14T17:10:45","slug":"photos-skol-unveils-rwf500-million-stadium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sport\/photos-skol-unveils-rwf500-million-stadium","title":{"rendered":"PHOTOS: SKOL unveils Rwf500 million stadium"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Local brewer, SKOL Brewery Ltd, on Tuesday, December 13, unveiled \u2018SKOL Stadium\u2019, a football stadium that cost the brewer a staggering Rwf500 million upon completion.<\/p>\n

Located in Nzove, the facility is currently home to Rwanda Premier League side Rayon Sports as the club\u2019s training base for both men and women teams.<\/p>\n

The facility is decorated with photos of some of Rayon Sports\u2019 current players and the club\u2019s league trophies.<\/p>\n

Rayon Sports Women Football Team in a friendly game with Youvia Women Football Team during the launch of the upgraded Nzove training pitch<\/p>\n

Unveiling the stadium in an inauguration event that was also attended by hundreds of Blues’ supporters, SKOL boss Ivan Wulffaert tasked the club to make good use of the facility and win more trophies in the future ahead.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is more space for trophies here. SKOL has made a lot of efforts to give the club infrastructure and develop Rayon Sports further and I wish that, in five years\u2019 time, we translate the support you have into trophies,\u201d Wulffaert said.<\/p>\n

Rayon Sports Women Football Team in a friendly game with Youvia Women Football Team during the launch of the upgraded Nzove training pitch<\/p>\n

The SKOL CEO also reminded the club management to invest more effort in a youth academy that can produce players who can play for the senior team in the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are convinced that a professional team needs to have a youth academy and we think that Rayon Sports has the capability to develop its players from 12 to 18 years and then go to the first team,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

The stadium comprises a 60-90m artificial football pitch that meets the international standards with Wulffaert confident that Rayon could start hosting some of its competitive home matches as soon as the facility gets accreditation from world football governing body (FIFA) and Ferwafa.<\/p>\n

Local football governing body president Olivier Mugabo Nizeyimana was among the guests who attended the stadium inauguration.<\/p>\n

Nizeyimana hailed the brewer for their continued contribution to Rwandan football, especially through their existing partnership with Rayon Sports.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe really acknowledge SKOL\u2019s contribution to our football through their partnership with Rayon Sports. They did a pretty good job when you look at the amount of money invested to have this facility and we thank the private sector at large for their contribution in the development of other clubs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Rayon Sports President Uwayezu Jean Fidele addresses participants. He commended Skol’s sponsorship to the Blues.<\/p>\n

With the artificial pitch now ready for use after six months of renovation, Rayon Sports\u2019 teams will be able occupy it for at least 10 hours a day.<\/p>\n

The brewer also plans to install lights so that the club can use the facility during evening hours.<\/p>\n

For the moment, the men\u2019s senior team will use the pitch for their daily training sessions while the women\u2019s team will be hosting its home games during various women\u2019s football competitions.<\/p>\n

The fact that SKOL understands Rayon\u2019s football vision has impressed club president Jean Fidele Uwayezu who thanked the brewer\u2019s management for having an impact on the club\u2019s welfare.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis pitch is not part of the partnership that we signed with SKOL, but they didn\u2019t mind building such a good facility that will accommodate our men, women and youth teams, we really appreciate their commitment and contribution to the growth of the club,\u201d Uwayezu said.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday we have men and women\u2019s teams and we are soon having a youth team,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Rayon Sports Women Team striker Imanizabayo (center) vies for the ball with Youvia WFC defenders during a friendly match.<\/p>\n

The SKOL Stadium inauguration coincided with the official presentation of Rayon Sports women club which recently joined the women\u2019s top flight league.<\/p>\n

The club celebrated its inauguration in style as they beat Youvia Women Football Club 3-0 in a friendly game held at the new SKOL Stadium.<\/p>\n

Skol Rwanda Managing Director Ivan Wulffaert celebrates during the inauguration of the stadium<\/p>\n

FERWAFA President Olivier Nizeyimana awards Rayon Sports attacking midfielder Hadji Iraguha the Skol-Rayon Sports best player of November<\/p>\n

Officials pose for a group photo with Rayon Sports Women Football Team players during the official launch of the Blues’ Women team at Nzove training ground on Tuesday, December 13, 2022<\/p>\n

Rayon Sports President Jean Fidele Uwayezu gesturing a free kick ball to inaugurate the revamped training groundat the Skol.<\/p>\n

Rayon Sports President Jean Fidele Uwayezu officially enveils Rayon Sports Women Football Team’s jersey with the assistant captain Imanizabayo Florence at the event. Photo by Julius Ntare<\/p>\n

Skol Rwanda Managing Director Ivan Wulffaert hands over a new jersey to FERWAFA President Olivier Nizeyimana during the inauguration of the newly revamped football pitch at Nzove on Tuesday ,Dcember 13, 2022. Julius Ntale<\/p>\n

Rayon Sports supporters watch the game during the inauguration of Nzove ground<\/p>\n\r\n