With just under a week before the national football league starts, Rayon Sports and Skol Breweries Ltd have started fresh talks over a new sponsorship deal. The current three-year contract, which runs out in February next year, is worth 182,000 Euros (about Rwf170m), according to Rayon Sports secretary general and Spokesperson, Olivier Gakwaya. “We have started initial talks, but they’re just talks, nothing has been agreed and we will see after analyzing the proposal and see if we can continue to partner with them but what we want is them to increase the money,” Gakwaya told Sunday Sport. He added that, “At the moment, I cannot determine what we will ask from them or the duration of the talks but they have been our biggest partners, so I don’t think it will take too long.” In February 2014, the 2013 league champions received Euros 50,000 (Rwf47m) in the first year; Euros 60,000 (Rwf56m) in the second year and Euros 72,000 (Rwf67m) in the third year. Sources close to the club say that Rayon Sports need Rwf15m per month to renew the contract which could be about Rwf540m. Last season, the Peace Cup winners paid about Rwf128m in salaries per month. Gakwaya also revealed that they are in talks with other potential sponsors whom he declined to mention. As part of the initial three-year deal, Skol, in addition to the financial support, also provides the team with balls, jerseys and other related equipment to use in training and competitions. On Friday, Skol hosted Rayon Sports players, officials, fans and the media at the brewery headquarters to congratulate the team for winning the Peace Cup. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
