Arsenal FC players have joined Rwandans for the 28th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi highlighting that the country’ progress is a testament of resilience despite endured dark history.

The message to stand in solidarity with Rwandans as they remember Genocide victims has been conveyed by three Arsenal players who featured in a short video posted on Twitter handle.

These include the team’s captain, Alexandre Lacazette and two nationals of the United Kingdom, Rob Holding and Eddie Nketiah.

“We stand together with Rwanda to remember the Genocide against the Tutsi, honour the memory of more than one million victims and pay tribute to the strength and courage of the survivors. Twenty eight years on, Rwanda’s resilience, growth and transformation is a testament to the enduring spirit of humanity,” reads the message.

Arsenal has been partnering with Rwanda for four years to market the country’s tourist attractions.

Arsenal and RDB initially teamed up back in 2018 with Visit Rwanda becoming the Gunners’ official tourism partner, as well as the club’s first sleeve sponsor. That contract was reportedly worth US$30 million over three years. By the end of the first year of the partnership, Rwanda’s tourism revenue increased by 17% to US$498 million in 2019 from US$425 million in 2018.

Leisure tourists from Europe increased by 22% and by 17% from the UK. In 2021, RDB announced that the partnership with Arsenal Football Club was extended whereby the ‘Visit Rwanda’ logo will continue to feature on the Premier League club’s left sleeve.

At the time, RDB announced that the renewed partnership will build on the gains made over ‘the last 3 years and contribute towards Rwanda’s economic recovery strategy following the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the tourism sector’.
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