Arsenal and Netherlands national team defender, Jurrien Timber, embarked on a three-day trip to Rwanda on Thursday, December 14, 2023. The trip began with an infrastructure tour, and Timber expressed his excitement about being in Rwanda, praising the warm and welcoming nature of the people. He visited a playground near Kigali Pele Stadium, where he interacted with young footballers and shared his experiences.

During his first day in Rwanda, Timber paid his respects to the victims of the 1994 Tutsi genocide at the Genocide Memorial Centre. He emphasized the importance of understanding Rwanda’s past and expressed gratitude for the current state of peace in the nation. Timber also took the opportunity to engage with young football players, discussing his background and expressing appreciation for the strong support of Arsenal in Rwanda.

As Arsenal’s official tourism partner and the first-ever Sleeve Sponsor of Arsenal FC, Timber’s trip is part of the collaboration between Visit Rwanda and the club. He visited various facilities, including the Peace Stadium, which is undergoing renovation to accommodate 25,000 people and has a capacity of 45,000.

Additionally, Timber visited the AS Kigali team of young players under 20 years old, observing their training session at the Kigali Pele Stadium. He also made a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi, paying homage to the innocent victims and learning about Rwanda’s history and its journey towards unity and reconciliation.

During his time in Rwanda, Timber took the opportunity to connect with Rwandan Arsenal supporters who are members of the Arsenal Fan Community club. His trip showcased the strong bond between Arsenal and Rwanda, highlighting the positive impact of the “Visit Rwanda” initiative.