Remera Buffaloes boss resigns

Benjamin Akami Makombe has stepped down as the Remera Buffaloes president. The resignation follows a row over awarding of walkover points to Thousand Hills on Saturday after Remera Buffalos allegedly failed to turn up for the fixture. Benjamin Akami Makombe Makombe alleges that the Rwanda Rugby Federation (RRF) took the decision without consulting the clubs. Makombe said they couldn’t play on Saturday because the federation hadn’t “officially communicated” their decision regarding the previous fixture against Kigali Sharks on April 2 in which Sharks were awarded ‘free’ points after Buffaloes failed to show up at the venue. Buffaloes had requested for a postponement before the game, but they claim the federation didn’t respond to their request, only to be informed that they had forfeited the points. “I have been waiting for their decision on that but I didn’t get official communication as president. I have heard about changes and decisions from my players. Kamanda (RRF secretary general) talks with Kamali and other players not the president. What is my role then, I’m stepping down, I can’t continue working with them,” Makombe told Times Sport. He added that, “We are going to meet as a club and see what to do next. But, personally am done with the federation.” However, Tharcisse Kamanda, dismissed the club’s claims of not receiving communication and match postponement request as a pretext for their poor organization. “We normally send them emails but they ignore them. We know they are having issues in their committee. They have asked for postponements before but they haven’t given clear reasons, we can’t keep running the league like that, otherwise it won’t end,” he explained. The record seven-time league winners, Buffaloes, have been a shadow of their former self since the departure of former club president, Gerald Nsenga a couple of years ago. The federation has been criticized over lack of cohesion and laxity in managing the league. The federation also lost services of long-serving Chief Executive Office, Jimmy Adams Mugabo, who resigned early this month to pursue better opportunities; he is yet to be replaced. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Remera Buffaloes boss resigns