Together with the Arne Friedrich Foundation and TuS Lohe, we have launched a soccer project in Rwanda.
The aim is to support children and young people through sport and at the same time facilitate contact between Rwanda and Germany.
The idea was born during a joint visit:
In 2024, former professional soccer player Arne Friedrich traveled to Rwanda with his former teacher Werner Eyßer, our 2nd chairman, visiting Ruli among other places.
One topic that came up again and again during several meetings at site with school officials and politicians was the desire for a soccer academy in and around Ruli.
Werner Eyßer and Arne Friedrich thought about it:
“We didn’t want an academy for a few talented players, but something for all children. Soccer should lead to joy and build bridges – between girls and boys, children with and without disabilities, and between schools and cultures.”
TuS Lohe as a partner for the children in Ruli – digitally participating
The Ruli Football Training Center was created in April 2025 and is currently coordinated by the local association Turere u Rwanda, which was founded specifically for this purpose. The open soccer school is visited by children and young people from the region – and also builds bridges to Germany in the digital space.
The project partner is Arne Friedrich’s youth club TuS Lohe in East Westphalia. Some club members are already in online contact with their partners in Ruli, regularly exchanging news and photos, among other things. In the future, training videos will also be shared and perhaps even joint tournaments will be organized – always connected via online channels. Project trips are also being considered.
“More than a game”: enthusiasm and commitment on site
Currently, around 100 children and young people from nine schools in the surrounding area playing football in Ruli. Two Rwandan teachers volunteer as head coaches. Training takes place during school hours on Saturdays and even three times a week during the holidays – three hours each time. With great dedication: many of the participants walk up to an hour to get there.
“It’s impressive to see the enthusiasm with which the children participate there – despite the simple conditions and difficult soccer grounds,” says Arne Friedrich. “This shows once again that soccer is much more than just a game – it connects people and knows no boundaries.”
The German partners supported the start of the project with donations: balls, yellow vests, cones, training hurdles, and first aid kits were purchased.
Encouraging development: More girls on the soccer ground
An important development since the project started: Around 30 girls now regularly take part in training sessions.
This shows that the project is already moving in the right direction. Reaching girls was a major challenge at the beginning, as many of them are heavily involved in domestic work. We are therefore very happy that more and more parents are supporting their daughters in attending the new soccer school.
This brings the project into line with the Rwandan government’s policy of promoting the participation of girls and women in all areas of life. Together with schools, authorities, and local politicians, work is underway to further increase the number of female players.
Arne Friedrich confirms: “We need even more female players. Only with them can we show that diversity really does win – on the pitch and far beyond.”
