-as they appeal for sponsorship
BY WADZANAI CHIHOMBORI-NDLOVU
In the dusty heart of Masvingo, where ambition often collides with adversity, a group of young footballers is daring to dream.
They call themselves Rhodene FC—a football club not born of privilege or sponsorships, but of determination, sweat, and the hope for something better. It’s not just a football team; it’s a question posed to their community: Do we care enough to invest in our future?
The Unseen Struggle
Rhodene FC doesn’t have a manicured pitch or a gleaming clubhouse. Their “training ground” is a patch of land hacked out of overgrown grass and tangled trees by students wielding machetes, not football boots. Tinevimbo Mudimo, a 17-year-old Form Five student at Victoria High School, explains the harsh reality: “We need everything—uniforms, balls, water, transport, a proper place to train. But more than that, we need people to believe in us.”
The players have taken the first step, showing the kind of initiative that many adults could learn from. But grit can only take them so far. Without support, their dreams may wither, just like the grass they’ve cleared to make space for them.
A Community on the Brink
What’s at stake here isn’t just the future of a football team—it’s the future of an entire generation. Masvingo, like many places, faces a growing epidemic of drug and substance abuse among its youth. With few opportunities and even fewer role models, young people are left to drift. Rhodene FC offers an alternative: structure, purpose, and the kind of discipline that builds not just athletes but leaders.
Parents see the value. They know that when their children are on the pitch, they’re not on the streets. They’re not just playing football; they’re learning teamwork, resilience, and the joy of working toward a shared goal.
But the question remains: Is the community willing to step up?
The Call for Action
Rhodene FC isn’t asking for miracles. They’re asking for water bottles for games, transport to matches, uniforms to wear with pride, and balls to train with. They’re asking for a coach—someone who can volunteer their expertise to guide these raw, eager talents. They’re asking for a proper training ground, where they don’t have to dodge stumps and rocks just to practice.
This is a call not just for businesses, churches, and local leaders, but for anyone who believes in the power of sport to transform lives. Rhodene FC isn’t just a sponsorship opportunity—it’s a chance to be part of something bigger.
A Legacy Worth Building
The local councillor, Benard Muchokwa has already lent his support, an encouraging first step. But more is needed. As Proverbs 22:6 reminds us: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Rhodene FC is doing its part to train up the next generation—not just as footballers, but as responsible, driven young adults.
The question now is, will the community rise to meet them halfway? Will businesses see this as an investment in their town’s future? Will churches and civic groups recognize the opportunity to nurture not just athletes but role models? Will the Sports and Recreation Commission surprise all and sundry; step in to turn grassroots passion into tangible progress?
Is this the grassroots revolution we have all been waiting for? Let’s wait and find out!
