Embassy officials praise Arsenal ahead of ‘Visit Rwanda Champions League final’
The High Commission of Rwanda this week congratulated Arsenal on their Premier League title days before a Visit Rwanda partnership concludes at the Champions League final.
The Gunners won their first domestic title in 22 years and lifted the Premier League trophy on Sunday. This weekend they have the chance to add a Champions League title to their season when they face PSG.
Arsenal’s controversial eight-year deal with the state’s tourism arm Visit Rwanda will conclude on Saturday when Mikel Arteta’s men take on Paris Saint-Germain – who are also sponsored by Visit Rwanda – in Budapest.
Arsenal, which counts the African country’s president Paul Kagame as a fan, have replaced Visit Rwanda with HR firm Deel, whose chief executive supports Saturday’s opponents PSG.
“This will be a Visit Rwanda final, which takes place at a time of rising tensions in the eastern part of DR Congo where Rwanda backed forces stand accused of human rights infringements,” Professor Simon Chadwick commented to Morning Wire.
Visit Rwanda final for Arsenal?
“Observers have repeatedly called out the state backed tourism campaign, often labelling it as being sport washing. But the relationships it has with PSG and Arsenal are very different; if you are going to ‘visit Rwanda’, then you’ll need to fly by Air Rwanda into Kigali’s new international airport – the Qatari government owns significant stakes in both, as well as being the owners of PSG.
“In Arsenal’s case, it has merely been a name on the team’s shirt sleeves, although that didn’t stop DR Congo’s government from lobbying Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the deal.”
The High Commission for Rwanda in the United Kingdom said: “Champions of England, partners of Rwanda. Congratulations to Arsenal.
“As proud partners through Visit Rwanda, we celebrate a season defined by passion, resilience and excellence on the global stage.
“From Rwanda to the Emirates, champions together.”