Financial despair dog rugby league

Due to financial constraints, the national rugby league has been in slumber for almost a year and this has raised concern from a cross section of fans.

Sunday, June 01, 2014

Due to financial constraints, the national rugby league has been in slumber for almost a year and this has raised concern from a cross section of fans.

The Rwanda Rugby Federation says lack of finances has been the major cause and has mainly affected teams based in Kigali.

According to the federation’s technical director Jean Baptiste Itanzi, Kigali-based clubs don’t have steady sponsors unlike upcountry clubs which are backed by the districts where they come from.

"The ministry did not give us money to run the league this year. And even as a federation, we are not financially sound. We decided to halt most of the activities for a while as we look for sustainable means to organise a more sustainable national championship.”

The clubs based in Kigali are; Remera Buffaloes, Kigali Sharks, Gorillas rugby club and Lion de Fer, the upcountry teams include; Muhanga, Kamonyi Puma, Jaguar, Tumba College and UNR Grizzilies.