Rwanda Rugby Federation (RRF) has postponed the start of the national league until to January 9, 2016, at the request of league clubs that asked for more time to prepare. The 2015/16 season was initially supposed to get underway this weekend.

Speaking to Saturday Sport, the RRF secretary general, Tharcisse Kamanda, said the clubs need to fulfill development criteria due the RRF’s new status as full members of World Rugby, the game’s international ruling body.

"We have to run the league professionally so, the clubs need to have information databases and player profile information before the league can start,” he explained.

The RRF needs to submit updates on the progress of the league to World Rugby as part of the criteria for the 24 month assessment which is to determine if they are worthy of retaining the full membership status which becomes effective next year.

Kamanda said the federation will meet with the clubs next week to discuss further details like club contribution and transport arrangements, which is vital in the smooth running of the league. 

To allow flexibility due to costs, the league will continue to be played in two divisions, on the home and away format. 

The Kigali/central division includes Remera Buffaloes, Kigali Sharks, Thousand Hills and Lion De Fer while the Southern division has Muhanga, Kamonyi Pumas, U.R Grizzlies and newly formed Resilience RFC. 

The delayed start means the league will have to break off as the national team, Silverbacks prepare for next year’s GFI Hong Kong 10s set for early April and it should end before the Africa Rugby Division 2 Cup which takes place in Mid-May in Kigali. 

Record nine-time winners Remera Buffaloes, are the reigning league champions, which concluded in May. 

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