Former Rayon coach pledges $500 to clear Shungu arrears

As Rayon Sports grapples with how to clear a staggering Rwf29million debt it owes Raoul Shungu, another former Rayon Sports coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa has kicked off a campaign that could see the club raise the money from friends and well-wishers, with a pledge of $500 (about Rwf350,000). “It is unfortunate that the club I love has lost three points in such way. I am pledging $500 to help them settle the debt. I am also calling upon every Rayon Sport fan and anyone who loves football to contribute so that this debt is settled once and for all,” Gomes wrote on his facebook wall. The blues were stripped of three points recently after a directive from Fifa Disciplinary deputy secretary Alejandro Salmeron Garcia following the Rayon’s delay to reimburse their former coach’s money, a saga that has dragged on for almost six years. Gomes took charge of the club in 2013 and immediately made an impact after guiding them to their first league trophy in 7 years in 2013. He would later leave the club that same year for Cameroonian side- Coton Sport. Rayon Sport is said to have incurred the debt in 2008 when 58-year-old Raoul Shungu used his own money to recruit players and also bought balls and training kit during his second stint at the club in 2008. After sacking Shungu in 2008, Rayon Sport failed to pay his arrears and despite several warnings from Fifa, the blues administration dragged its feet. Ferwafa also refused to rescue the club without any guarantee that their monies would be reimbursed. However, in a phone interview yesterday, Rayon Sports secretary general and spokesperson Aimée Emmanuel Ndayisabye said they gave Ferwafa a written guarantee of paying back the money on Thursday. “I can assure our fans that this unfortunate and long running saga will soon be behind us. We have given Ferwafa a letter which guarantees payment of their money. I am sure that by the end of next week, Raoul Shungu will have his money,” Ndayisabye said.