A delegation of 13 football coaches from the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) is currently in Madrid, Spain, participating in an elite high-performance coaching and technical exchange programme hosted by Atlético de Madrid under the Visit Rwanda partnership.
The week-long programme is designed to expose Rwandan coaches to advanced European football methodologies, tactical systems, academy structures, leadership principles, and modern high-performance football environments as Rwanda continues investing heavily in the long-term development of the sport.
The delegation is led by FERWAFA Women’s Football Commissioner Nikita Gicanda Vervelde and forms part of a broader collaboration involving Visit Rwanda, the Ministry of Sports, FERWAFA, and Atlético de Madrid aimed at strengthening technical education and international football exchange.
Throughout the programme, the coaches are taking part in advanced theoretical and practical coaching sessions while also observing Atlético de Madrid academy training environments.
They are additionally participating in technical assessments, performance analysis workshops, and sessions focused on tactical identity, player development, and elite football culture.
The programme also offers the Rwandan delegation direct exposure to how elite European football institutions integrate sports science, performance monitoring, discipline, education, and long-term player pathway development into their daily operations.
According to Atlético de Madrid’s official programme materials, the initiative seeks to share the Spanish club’s football methodology, coaching philosophy, and high-performance culture both on and off the pitch.
FERWAFA President Fabrice Shema also joined the delegation in Madrid, where he held discussions with Atlético de Madrid leadership as both sides continue exploring future cooperation opportunities in technical development and football exchange programmes.
Speaking during the visit, Nikita Gicanda Vervelde emphasized Rwanda’s broader football ambitions and the importance of investing in technical leadership.
“We have the ambition to become a true footballing nation, and that requires investment not only in talent, but in education, discipline, leadership, and high-performance environments.
Experiences like this expose our coaches to elite football cultures and strengthen the people who will help shape the future of the game in Rwanda,” she said.
She added that Atlético de Madrid represents an example of how a strong football identity, clear values, and long-term vision can contribute to sustained excellence within the game.
The initiative reflects Rwanda’s growing commitment to coach education, youth development, and international sporting partnerships aimed at raising technical standards and strengthening the country’s football ecosystem.
As Rwanda continues positioning itself as an emerging sporting nation on the continental and global stage, programmes such as this are expected to play a key role in developing the next generation of coaches, technical leaders, and football professionals who will shape the future of Rwandan football.
