Kiyovu lands Rwf60m sponsorship deal

Rivals beware, SC Kiyovu’s relentless financial problems are about to be a thing of the past, not that the club has won a jackpot but because Nyarugenge District has agreed to sponsor the team with a tune of Rwf60m every year, starting next season.News of the deal, which becomes effective in July, was revealed by club chairman, Norbert Sendege in an exclusive interview with this paper yesterday.“For so long, the club has been facing financial problems but hopefully that comes to an end after we secured sponsorship from Nyarugenge District,” Sendege told Sunday Sport.He also revealed that after striking the deal, the club is also in talks with Kicukiro District to come on board as co-sponsors and hopes for a positive outcome.However, Sendege was quick to add that despite securing sponsorship from Nyarugenge District and with hope that Kicukiro district will join hands, the club will still need more funding from others sources, including the fans, who have always been the team’s major financiers.He said, “With new sponsors coming on board, we hope to raise enough money to run the club effectively. We want to build a strong team which will be able to compete for trophies every season.” The ‘Green Baggies’ have not won the league since 1993 but under coach Jean Baptist Kayiranga, the Nyamirambo-based side, one of the oldest football clubs in Rwanda, could see the 20-year trophy drought come to an end this season. Not aloneKiyovu joins several other national league rivals, Rayon Sport (Nyanza District), Musanze (Musanze), Mukura (Huye), Muhanga (Muhanga), Etincelles (Rubavu), Amagaju (Nyamagabe), Espoir (Rusizi) and AS Kigali (Kigali City Council) as clubs that are financed by district authorities.Before this weekend’s matches, SC Kiyovu leads the 14-team league standing with 24 points after 13 games.