The FFB president will learn his successor at the helm of Burundi's football federation within a week. Senator Révérien Ndikuriyo wants to personally invest in strengthening teams.

Since 2013, he has wanted to invest in football academies alongside first division (Primus Ligues A) teams. Unfortunately, the president's idea did not come to fruition and was stifled during its implementation.

According to Révérien Ndikuriyo, the academies project was one of the challenges he encountered during his eight-year term. On the other hand, he observed that it is difficult for the FFB to oversee all club categories including Division B and youth teams. He ran into a lack of resources and the federation was unable to cover all expenses.

A challenge to overcome with the Pax Burundi Foundation

As president of the Pax Burundi Foundation, he assures that he will invest in the national team as well as in the mentoring of young footballers. Moreover, he is already planning a partnership with the federation to collaborate effectively and invest in football.

"[…] we will speak with the federation about the children's championship to organize it under the Pax Burundi Foundation," explains Reverien Ndikuriyo.

Thus, the foundation is already planning an annual allocation of 100 million to invest in the children's championship. Furthermore, it will be able to bear the name ''Nkurunziza Youth League''.

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Referees academy in the pipeline

The outgoing president also plans to contribute to the development of Burundian refereeing. He is also counting on a partnership between the FFB and his foundation to establish a referees academy. Consequently, the academy will ensure the training of young referees as well as their follow-up. Furthermore, these young talents will be called upon to referee children's championships.

Révérien Ndikuriyo will learn his successor on December 5, 2021. Alexandre Munyenge is the sole candidate in the federation's general elections to be held in Makamba.

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Chris Golden Irambona