The government of Rwanda has defended its decision to sign a partnership deal with English Football Club Arsenal which is expected to boost the country’s tourism industry.
The partnership will have the tag name “Visit Rwanda” printed on the shirt sleeves of all Arsenal’s teams.
Arsenal’s chief commercial officer Vinai Venkatesham said during the unveiling of the partnership last week that “This is an exciting partnership which will see us support Rwanda’s ambition to build their tourism industry.”
The country has been transformed in recent years and Arsenal’s huge following will bring Rwanda into people’s minds in a new and dynamic way,” Venkatesham added.
There have been concerns about the funding for the deal since Members of Parliament in Rwanda did not approve it, but the country’s deputy Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe is reported by the Associated Press to have said that the money for the sponsorship deal was from tourism.
“Donors’ aid is specific and well accounted for in Rwanda,” Nduhungirehe is quoted as saying in reaction to criticism from British lawmakers in UK media.
Rwanda’s top foreign exchange earner is from Tourism and the country is one of only three countries in the world where the mountain gorilla is found and the country has made significant progress in promoting itself as a great destination for tourism.
Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame is an Arsenal fan who recently called for “something fundamental” to change at Arsenal Football Club as he bemoans the current state of the club.
Kagame who was then hoping for a new direction for his beloved club blamed the owners for current crisis but said “I am still a committed fan going forward”.
Source: Africafeeds.com
