Roseline Mutare
Masvingo based female soccer outfit Shine Shine Queens has extended a begging bowl for sponsorship to cover running costs for the premier league returnees for the forthcoming season.
In an interview with The Midweek Watch, Secretary-General and Head Coach Takaendesa Mavesere expressed the team’s urgent need for support in the form of sanitary products, food, and transportation.
He said the team, which use Mucheke Stadium as their training and home ground, has been struggling to stay afloat since its inception in 2017. Despite a playing in the premier league in 2023/24, Shine Shine Queens was unable to fulfill all matches due to financial constraints.
Mavesere revealed that the team is now recruiting from secondary schools across Masvingo’s seven districts to strengthen their squad.
“We are looking for sponsorship in any form to help us overcome our challenges, with the right support, we are confident that we can get back into the premier league again,” said Mavesere.
The ZIFA Eastern Region Soccer League Division 1 season for women is set to begin on May 18, with 14 games scheduled. In the previous season, Shine Shine Queens finished fourth out of ten teams but believes it would have done better if they had played all the games they missed due to lack of funding.
“We thought we would do better if we played all the games we missed due to lack of sponsorship where we could not even meet the transport costs to play our matches.
“We are determined to make a comeback and we need sponsorship to make it happen,” he added.
The team’s plight highlights the challenges faced by many local sports teams in Zimbabwe, where lack of resources and sponsorship can hinder progress and potential.
Shine Shine Queens are playing a pivotal role in keeping the girl child away from drugs and substance abuse in the ancient city and if they were to get sponsorship their vision will be accomplished.
The team’s achievements through a shoestring budget over the years is set to inspire many other teams and would be sponsors.
