The financial woes of Gicumbi Football Club are set to drag on as the district administration does not have any plans of increasing the funding that goes to the team.
The team which mainly depends on funding from the district administration is currently facing challenges after the annual budget allocated to it was reduced from Rwf 150 million to 50 million.
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Gicumbi FC currently plays in the second division, fighting for topflight promotion by next season. The club is in the seventh position of Group B with 15 points, trailing leaders Vision FC by 19 points.
Speaking to Times Sport, on Thursday, February 29, Acting Mayor Parfaite Uwera explained that due to Gicumbi District's tight budget, they do not plan to increase the club's budget of 50 million.
A reliable source that spoke to Times Sport on Wednesday, February 28 under conditions of anonymity revealed that the club’s players have not received their salaries for the past two months, a situation that has negatively impacted their morale and wellbeing.
In an interview with Times Sport, Parfaite Uwera, the acting Mayor of Gicumbi District, said that there are no plans to increase the funds allocated to the team.
"Gicumbi District supports many teams including football, handball, and volleyball. We try to allocate our limited budget accordingly to ensure each team receives some support," she explained.
He added that Gicumbi FC’s financial sustainability for the future lies in collective funding from the district administration as well as private sponsors and partners.
"We, as Gicumbi district, also face budget constraints,” Uwera noted.
Speaking to Times Sport, the club’s head coach Saidi Ngabire said it seems impossible for the team to compete promotion given the thin squad it has.
"We have 16 players, two of whom have long-term injuries. Two more are not training due to different issues. That means I only have 12 players,” he said.
"I am now using Junior team players due to lack of options. With this situation, I don't see a way to get this team promoted to the topflight," he added.