Friday

APR                Vs      Amagaju              (Kigali Stadium)

Saturday

Etincelles      Vs      Rayon Sports       (Umuganda Stadium)

Gicumbi        Vs      Espoir                    (Stade de Gicumbi)

Mukura         Vs      Sunrise                  (Huye Stadium)

Kirehe            Vs      SC Kiyovu             (Nyakarambi Grounds)

Azam Rwanda Premier League giants Rayon Sports will use a budget amounting to Rwf700 million next season, up from Rwf450 million last season.

The budget was approved by the club’s general-assembly held at Mattina Hotel on Sunday.

The league gets underway Friday with Rayon Sports away to Etincelles for their first match on Saturday.

Rayon Sports president Paul Muvunyi said they increased the budget to bring about stability in the club next season.

 "We have come up with what we believe is sufficient budget for next season,” he said. "We want to build a strong team and want the team to get everything they need so they can achieve their objective of winning both the league and Peace Cup,” Muvunyi said.

Rayon Sports, who made history by becoming the first Rwandan club to reach the quarterfinals of any CAF competition this year, will miss out on continental football next season after failing to retain the league title and falling short in Peace Cup.

Talks with Qatar Airways

Muvunyi said the club are also in talks with Qatar Airways over a possible sponsorship deal, which he said could help the blues address issues that have caused problems in the dressing room in the past.

Rayon Sports are also yet to receive Rwf300m in financial reward from CAF for their impressive run in this year’s Confederation Cup, while they also have 33 fan clubs that make financial contributions to the club.

In addition, the club also receives sponsorship kitty from brewer Skol, while they also collect more money through gate receipts on match days.

Skol gives Rayon Sports Rwf66m per year, which totals to Rwf462m in seven years – through 2022.

 "We are building a strong team that is stable and capable of competing at the highest level,” Muvunyi said.

Talks with Qatar Airways could bear fruit as early as this week, Muvunyi said.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw