Ntagwabira makes U-turn

RAYON sport coach Jean Marie Ntagwabira has backtracked on his claims to quit the club, Times Sport can exclusively reveal.

Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Rayon Sport Coach Jean Marie Ntagwabira is staying put at the moment. The New Times/File.

RAYON sport coach Jean Marie Ntagwabira has backtracked on his claims to quit the club, Times Sport can exclusively reveal.The 39-year old made the threats on Saturday evening after his side’s 4-1 win over AS Kigali."I will not coach this team again until the players and coaches’ salary arrears are paid. "a furious Ntagwabira said.The blues, who never end a season without running battles with their staff over delayed salaries, owe their players and coaching staff 2 months salaries arrears.Ntagwabira did not pick up calls from this reporter by press time but a senior club official Olivier Gakwaya told Times Sport that the coach is working and said that the club is working round the clock to pay the debts."As far as I am concerned, the coach has not formally threatened to quit, so I cannot comment on what he said. In fact he is working as we speak now.” Gakwaya said yesterday.Rayon Sport President Albert Rudatsimburwa is also optimistic that the club’s money woes will be over when it finally signs sponsorship deals with Tigo and Fina-Bank."The deal has unfortunately taken long to be concluded but once it is done, the club will not have any money problems.” Rudatsimburwa said.The blues need Rwf10m for salaries and operating costs for a month.Rayon Sport is now third in the league, five points behind Police and the blues can ill afford to get any distractions since they will meet the League leaders in their next Primus league match.Ntagwabira is considered one of the most successful local coaches after taking charge of big clubs like APR, Atraco, Kiyovu and Rayon Sport, where he won 4 league titles and 5 Peace cup crowns.