Owen Sanders
All eyes and ears will be turned towards Rwanda as the inaugural veteran’s club world championship draws closer set to take place in the month of September from the 1st to the 10th. It has been confirmed by the president of the international football federation for veterans (FIFVE) and founder of the veteran’s clubs world championship (VCWC) Fred Siewe.
The founder Fred Siewe in a working visit to Liberia also confirmed his engagement with some former lone star players who have indicated their interest to participate in the first ever edition of the VCWC to take place in Rwanda.
Former Liberian president and 1995 ballon D’or winner George Weah also conformed his participation including the likes of Brazilian legend Ronaldinho , former Liverpool icon Michael Owen , 1998 world cup winner Robert Pires, Jay Jay Okocha, Pedro Miguel Pauleta and a host of numerous stars in the month of September.
Fred Siewe also had positive meetings in his trip to Liberia with both the minister of youths and sports and the football association president of Liberia Mustapha Raji to make sure the first edition of the VCWC makes a long lasting impact in the West African nation. In his working visit, Fred Siewe acknowledged the role played by the new government to bring an impact in football among youths and believes the VCWC can be a strategic and key partner which contributes to the development of the youths in partnership with the United Nations.
The VCWC was launched as a means to connect former athletes, collaborate and contribute to sustainable development and shall be co-organized in collaboration with the United Nations through the platform football for the goals and the government of Rwanda. The tournament is also committed to advocate for the achievement and implementation of sustainable developmental goals (SDGS) and sees this collaboration as a gateway to long lasting success.
The VCWC is expected to witness an influx of about 150 former football internationals from September 1st to 10th 2024. As a result, the organizers have come up with the pairing to be divided into eight geographical zones.
East and south Africa —————one team
West and central Africa ————-one team
North Africa & Middle East———one team
Asia ————————————one team
South America ———————–one team
North America ———————-one team
Euro ——————————— Two teams ( each team shall have 15 male players & 2 female players)
During the 3 day working visit to Liberia, Mr. Fred Siewe emphasized that through the VCWC, young aspiring footballers can have ideas about former footballers which can impact their lives and others in the country. He also added that the platform is ready to allow those former players to inspire and guide the next generation of footballers who see these icons as an inspiration and gateway to becoming future stars of tomorrow.
BY AKA AYAMBA NTUI
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