Veteran Haruna Niyonzima selected for Atlético Madrid elite Coaching programme

Thirteen Rwandan youth coaches have been selected to benefit from the world-class “Training for Coaches Programme” offered by Spanish LaLiga giants Atlético de Madrid in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) through the Visit Rwanda initiative.

The week-long selection process concluded on Saturday with a confirmation ceremony at the FERWAFA Accommodation Facility in Remera, Kigali. The successful candidates will undertake a nine-month hybrid and onsite elite training programme.

The selected coaches include former Amavubi captain Haruna Niyonzima, alongside Innocent Murwanashyaka, Iragena Oscarie, Joseph Junior Rutagengwa, Nadia Bugenimana, Blaise Itangishaka, Nicolas Hakizimana, Darius Hirwa, Damascène Nsengiyumva, Emmanuel Coman Mugisha, Schadrack Nsengayire, Shema Bravo, and Sifa Gloria Nibagwire.

Speaking at the ceremony, FERWAFA President Fabrice Shema Ngoga thanked the Government of Rwanda for enabling the partnership and encouraged the coaches to aim for national team opportunities in the coming years.

Representatives from Atlético de Madrid’s technical delegation, Carlos and Iván Paz, commended Rwanda’s commitment to sports development and social cohesion, describing the country as an inspiration beyond its borders.

The initiative, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports (Rwanda) and FERWAFA, aims to strengthen grassroots football by equipping coaches with modern technical, tactical, and pedagogical skills aligned with international standards.

Under the programme, participants will receive structured technical support and season-long mentorship based on the methodology of Academia Atlético de Madrid, one of Europe’s respected football development institutions, with the goal of improving youth pathways and the long-term competitiveness of Rwandan football.

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