Rayon Sports on Thursday November 11, penned a one-year partnership with Canal plus Rwanda where the blues will get Rwf48m every year to boost clubs’ ambitious plans to grow their football business and win trophies. Canal+ will be giving Rayon Sports Rwf4m every month including subscription for 45 people, decoders and other kits. It is estimated that the agreements will cost Canal+ about Rwf100 million per year and will include training kits for players. “We want to put a lasting solution to the constant financial problems the club faces every season,” Jean Fidele Uwayezu, Rayon Sports Chairman said in a press conference on Thursday. Sophie Tchatchoua, the Managing Director of Canal plus Rwanda said the company is delighted to partner with the most popular football club in Rwanda. The Blues claim to have the biggest fan base in the country, reportedly to be around 3 million but have always failed to harness that support as a bargaining chip to attract corporate sponsorship hence the relentless financial constraints that have hiccupped the team’s chase for silverware. The team last won silverware back in 2018/2019, when they won the national league under the guidance of Djuma Masudi. According to reports, Rayon uses about Rwf200m for salaries and recruitment of players every season, but would need about Rwf500m to compete with APR, AS Kigali, and Police in the transfer market and provide attractive pay packages.
