Second tier side Gicumbi FC’s chances of playing topflight football are in danger due to financial crisis, Times Sport has learnt. READ ALSO: Second Division League: Favourites, underdogs and dark horses Reliable sources who spoke to Times Sport said that the financial situation at the club has taken a toll on the players' morale and well-being, having spent two months without receiving their monthly wages. To be honest, things are getting worse here. Players have gone two months now without receiving their salaries, a source said in an interview. Neither the players nor the coaching staff are motivated anymore. Club officials keep making promises, but no one cares anymore.” According to the source, Gicumbi’s financial crisis dates back before the season even started. The club started the season with just 16 players but only less than a half are now attending daily training sessions. You won't believe that, among those 16 players we have, two of them have injuries that could keep them out for almost the rest of the season. Two other players that signed in January have refused to play because they haven't received their recruitment fees.” “So, in general, we have only 12 active players and we're using junior team players to at least play games and avoid forfeits or other penalties by the FA, the source close to the club told Times Sports on Tuesday. Since the club can’t pay players, he said, some players have protested training until their wages are cleared. Are Gicumbi in or out? Club Secretary-General Antoine Dukuzimana admits his team is experiencing financial challenges, explaining that the crisis has been persisting for years due to limited budget after the district, their main sponsor, reduced their sponsorship. The club has financial problems. There isn't much we can do to change the situation now, Dukuzimana told Times Sport. I want to tell you something....the district’s support has dropped to Rwf 50 million down from 150 million per season. I don't know if you understand well what it means, he further claimed. Dukuzimana hinted that the club could pull out of the competition any time if nothing is done to address the crisis. “There are other district-backed teams that receive over Rwf 200 million. I wonder why it seems impossible for Gicumbi FC.” “If this continues, we (board members) are planning to change our ambitions from fighting for topflight promotion to focusing on talent development because that's what available budget can cover,” he said. “We will ask the district officials to revise this issue otherwise Gicumbi FC is not going to be the same.” Gicumbi FC are in seventh place in Group B of the second division table with 15 points. They trail 19 points behind leaders Vision FC.
