The Veterans Clubs World Championship (VCWC) 2024, scheduled to take place from September 1-10 in Rwanda, has been cancelled. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) announced the cancellation on June 26, 2024, via their X account.
RDB stated that “the decision comes after careful consideration and mutual agreement” with the event organisers, Easygroup EXP. Specific challenges leading to the cancellation were not detailed in the announcement. As a result, Easygroup EXP will no longer use the ‘Visit Rwanda’ brand in their marketing efforts.
The tournament was to be held at the newly refurbished Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, featuring 150 football legends, including Ronaldinho, J.J. Okocha, and Oliver Kahn. Additionally, the event included five economic forums on peace, education, health, business, and tourism.
The VCWC is a global platform and protected brand whose purpose is to enable sports veterans to connect, collaborate and contribute to sustainable development.
Easygroup Exp on the other hand, is an ‘international experiential marketing agency specialized in the fields of; brand activation, entertainment technology, corporate gatherings and Content production’. Its origin is traced in Cameroon, and later Ivory Coast, Rwanda, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Tchad in Africa, France, Germany and England in Europe, and Qatar and UAE in the Middle East.
The cancellation has received mixed reactions, with some supporting RDB’s decision and others concerned about refunds for purchased tickets or the possibility of bringing another company to organize the event.
According to The NewTimes however, “The VCWC 2024 may be shifted elsewhere after organizers said that the end of partnership with Rwanda “does not signify in any way signify the cancellation of the tournament.”
The event was expected to enhance Rwanda’s reputation as a sports tourism destination and bring significant economic benefits.