Rayon under pressure to pay players' wages

Rayon Sports is yet to pay players wages for two months due to a financial crisis that has engulfed the Nyanza-based side at a crucial time in the season when they are winless in four league games. Speaking exclusively to Times Sport, Rayon Sports’ spokesman Aime Emmanuel Niyomusabye said, “It is true that we have not paid the players for November and December but we are trying to make sure we do so as soon as possible.” “Our annual budget is Rwf250m but we receive about Rwf40m from Nyanza district and €50,000 per year from main sponsors Skol but all this does not come in a package so it is difficult to meet all our costs consistently.” After an agreement with Government over a year ago, Rayon Sports returned to the Southern Province where the club was formed in 1968 and they have since been supported by Nyanza District. “The money we receive from the district and our main sponsors does not even amount to half of our expenses but of course we appreciate their support. We are looking for ways to solve this problem and we really hope that soon we shall do so,” added Niyomusabye. Due to unpaid wages and other factors, several players are not attending training sessions and have resorted to seeking other clubs around the region. Key players, including left back Abouba Sibomana and assistant captain Faustin Usengimana have been linked to Kenyan clubs like Gor Mahia—both have not trained for weeks but Sibomana returned to camp yesterday. The Blues resumed training yesterday with two sessions under the close eye of head coach Andy Mfutila who is eager to register his first win since taking over in November. His side has suffered a five-game winless streak that culminated in a crisis meeting on Christmas Eve among players, coaching staff and management to find a solution to the poor run of results. Mfutila hopes to start the New Year in style and has made it clear that he will work with the players who are available to play and who have been training. Rayon Sports, fourth in the league table standing with 19 points, play their next league game against third-placed Police FC on January 6. APR lead the table with 26 points, two points ahead of AS Kigali in second place after 11 rounds of matches. Police have 20 points. editorial@newtimes.co.rw