By Nick Butler

A partnership between JAPPO and RNOSC to organise the 2015 CISA Convention has been confirmed ©JAPPO/RNOSCRwanda will host the 2015 edition of the Africa International Sports Convention (CISA) in Kigali, it has been announced.
 

It follows an agreement  between JAPPO Sports & Entertainment and the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC).

The annual event will bring together more than 400 sporting leaders, decision-makers, practitioners and athletes from across Africa and the rest of the world in Rwanda's capital city from March 11 until March 15 next year,

Dakar-based event management company JAPPO, who have worked with various major events throughout Africa since 2005, will work alongside the RNOSC to organise the Convention, which is expected to particularly address the future of the African Games'.

Although an important event throughout the continent, hosting CISA is a particularly boost for Rwanda as it seeks to widen its profile on the international stage, and to use sport to achieve wider social and economic benefits. 

"I would like to sincerely thank JAPPO for choosing Rwanda," said RNOSC President Robert Bayigamba.

"Hosting CISA next year reflects our willingness of becoming a leading sport country in Africa.

"Hosting sporting events will contribute to build our sport family's competences and skills, while boosting our economy through sport tourism."

Rwanda will be hoping to use the profile generated by CISA to boost their performances on an Olympic and Paralympic stage ©Getty ImagesRwanda will be hoping to use the profile generated by CISA to boost their performances on an Olympic and Paralympic stage ©Getty Images







As well as the benefits for the host country, it is also hoped that holding the Convention in Rwanda will be a way to reach out to the continent's English-speaking population in an event that has normally been held in French-speaking cities since an inaugural edition in 2007 in the Senegalese capital Dakar.

"Organising CISA in Rwanda represents a fantastic opportunity to upgrade the Convention's standards along with reaching out a wider audience, specifically among English speaking countries," said Diamil Faye, the chairman of JAPPO. 

"During my first coordination visit, I was impressed by Rwanda's professionalism and organisation.

"It will be of a great pleasure working with Rwanda's NOC and his President Robert Bayigamba over the upcoming months.

"I'm truly confident that the local Organising Committee will make this 2015 edition a great success."

Alongside the Convention, various other events will be incorporated into the four day schedule, including a CISA Kids Project, a sport's journalists seminar, a Sports Ministers seminar and an induction ceremony into the Africa Sport's Hall of Fame.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]