The Rwanda Premier League starts on December 4. Football fans, however, will not be allowed in stadiums to support their clubs to avoid the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Playing behind closed doors was thought to be bad news for some clubs whose resources depend mostly on ticket sales at stadiums, casting doubts over the future of the league without fans with many football pundits fearing that clubs will drop out of the league.

However, a mini-survey conducted by Times Sport shows that top-flight clubs are innovating new ways to collect revenue from fans to stay afloat.

Most clubs who spoke to this publication said that playing behind closed doors won’t affect them that much as long as supporters keep contributing to their teams’ welfare in one way or another.

Rayon Sports

Arguably the most supported club in Rwanda, Rayon is doing its best to raise funds from its supporters through different channels.

The fans have, according to club spokesperson Jean Paul Nkurunziza, started to send their contributions through fan clubs, Mobile Money and bank accounts.

However, Nkurunziza said the club is developing a new system through which more funds can be raised to ensure its welfare remains stable.

"We trust the loyalty of our supporters and it won’t be an excuse to the team's performances. There is a good atmosphere among players and they are ready to fight for the title like they usually do,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Blues are yet to extend its new partnership deal with SKOL Rwanda but the recently-elected committee, led by Jean Fidele Uwayezu is pushing to successfully secure the deal as soon as possible to keep the club in shape, financially.

Kiyovu SC

The Mumena-based club was the busiest side in the just concluded transfer market securing the signings of top players like keeper Yves Kimenyi who joined the club from rivals Rayon Sports, last season’s top scorer Samson Babua and Burundian defender Omar Ngandu among others as new club President Juvenal Mvukiyehe targets to lead the team to its first league title since 1996.

The team, which is in a residential camp in Runda, Kamonyi District ahead of the new season is ready to fight for the title with or without fans at stadiums, according to club Secretary Omar Munyengabe.

Although the club won’t be able to raise money from ticket sales at stadiums, Munyengabe said supporters have already started to give their contributions through fan clubs, while others are sending their contributions via Mobile Money and the club’s bank account.

 "The fans who buy tickets at stadiums are the same who can still support us when stadiums are closed. Our fan clubs are doing well now; some have already started to raise contributions while others are supporting us by bringing us foodstuffs for players at the camp. So far so good,” Munyengabe said.

Kiyovu also has a membership of 140 people who contribute Rwf120,000 annually.

Mukura VC

So far, fans contribute between 15 and 20 percent of the Huye-based club’s total annual budget. The biggest part comes from the District Administration and sponsorships.

To prepare for new life without fans’ revenues from ticket sales at the stadium, Jerome Gasana, the club Technical Director said they shifted efforts in finding more sponsors and partners to get more sponsorship.

 "We hope the club won’t struggle financially just because there won’t be revenues from the stadium. Our fans can still contribute through new channels that we communicated with them. We feel safe from this crisis because we managed to get more sponsors and the District is committed to continue supporting us during this difficult period,” Gasana said.

Bugesera FC

Bugesera FC is among teams that could be victims, financially, with no gate collections expected until stadiums are reopened.

Club President Jean Claude Gahigi told this publication that his club will be affected by lack of revenues from ticket sales at the stadium because that money in the past contributed a lot to the club’s welfare.

"When our team hosted teams like Rayon Sports or APR, we used to get a certain amount of money that would help us pay wages and bonuses to our players,” Gahigi said.

As a result, the club has decided to reduce its operating expenses. Club staff including players, coaches and Administration officials all took pay cuts.

 "We discussed with players about reducing their salaries because of the financial difficulties we were experiencing and they agreed because they are aware of the situation. We can review the players’ payroll when the situation returns back to normal,” he said.

He, however, revealed that his club administration is in negotiations with the Bugesera District to see if the budget allocated to the team can be increased to help the team stay financially stable during the league.