Shema who has been serving as the President of AS Kigali, secured the majority vote required from FERWAFA members. Of the 53 members, 51 cast their vote in favor by raising a card marked 'YES,' while none voted 'NO.' Alongside eight individuals on his team, he will lead the federation for the next four years.
Outgoing president Munyantwali Alphonse congratulated the new leadership, saying he had full confidence in their ability to take Rwandan football forward.
'When things are going well, we must acknowledge it. We thank the federation's president-elect and those already chosen for their decision to advance football. This is not just a place you go to as if attending a serviceâ€"it's about making progress,' Munyantwali said.
'I am confident this 'Dream Team' will achieve great results. Shema's team will make us proud and do even better than we did. Where we fell short, we apologizeâ€"it was never intentional,' he added.
Munyantwali also thanked the Head of State for his unwavering support to Rwandan football, as well as the Ministry of Sports and FIFA for their assistance.
Davis Ndayisenga, head of the FIFA Regional Development Office in Kigali, also expressed appreciation for the outgoing committee's work.
Speaking on behalf of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, he welcomed Shema Fabrice and his new team, pledging continued collaboration on future projects.
In his inaugural speech, Shema emphasized unity and transformation, presenting his vision under the theme 'One Vision, One Team.'
'What brings us together is football, but what gives us joy is victory. Today, I call for change, a movement. To achieve this, we must rally around a shared vision,' he said.
Presenting his vision, Shema Fabrice highlighted eight key pillars that will guide his leadership. He emphasized the importance of supporting youth football and ensuring its sustainable development, alongside greater investment in infrastructure to create a solid foundation for the sport.
He pledged to raise the standards of competitions while also giving stronger attention to the growth of women's football.
Equally, Shema committed to building knowledge and professionalism among those involved in the game, and to strengthening governance structures while working towards greater financial independence for the federation.
He also underlined the need to enhance both national and international relations, ensuring that Rwandan football remains connected to global opportunities. Finally, he stressed that fans must be given a greater role and platform, as they are central to the growth and spirit of the sport.
He assured members that he and his team will serve with transparency, resilience, and in the collective interest of advancing Rwandan football.
FERWAFA's newly elected Executive Committee
- President: Shema Fabrice
- First Vice President in charge of Administration and Finance: Gasarabwe Claudine
- Second Vice President in charge of Technical Affairs: Mugisha Richard
- Commissioner for Finance: Nshuti Thierry
- Commissioner for Women's Football: Nikita Gicanda Vervelde
- Commissioner for Competitions: Niyitanga Désiré
- Commissioner for Technical Affairs and Football Development: Kanamugire Fidèle
- Commissioner for Legal Affairs and Governance: Ndengeyingoma Louise
- Commissioner for Sports Medicine: Dr. Gatsinzi Herbert
- Commissioner for Refereeing: Hakizimana Louis
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/sports/article/shema-fabrice-elected-16th-president-of-ferwafa
