Chaotic scheduling, poor playing surfaces and appalling referees -- no, not another article about Major League Soccer. These are just some of the problems facing the Rwandan national league as it shapes up for the new season beginning early next month.

The league's governing body, Ferwafa, has only just set the date for the October 4 start after clubs asked for more time to get organized, writes Bonnie Mugabe. Ferwafa is promising a new system to clamp down on irregular contracts, and on players turning out for teams in two different leagues. League boss John Bosco Kazura said any club breaching federation rules on contracts and paper work will face "severe punishments" and possible expulsion.

In previous years, Rwandan league players had not only turned out for other local teams, but for clubs in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. The league is also demanding that teams ensure that playing surfaces of the eight approved stadiums "meet the basic standards," and wants to offer more courses for national referees "so as to improve on the deteriorating officiating in the Rwandan game."

 

 

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