MOSES MADYIRA
CHIKOMBA–The Zanu PF Chikomba District Coordinating Committee (DCC) has donated a staggering US$2 500 affiliation fee to Chivhu FC at an all stakeholders meeting held on Friday last week at a local hotel.
The meeting was dubbed Chivhu Football Club Division Roadmap and Fundraising Meeting.
Following their promotion into the ZIFA Eastern Region Division 1 after topping the region’s second division league last season, Chivhu FC found themselves stranded as they could not raise the required $3000,00 in affiliation fees. The team then made a passionate appeal to well-wishers to come to their rescue. As their joy was slowly turning into despair along came the shot in the arm from Zanu-PF at the stakeholders meeting that was organized by the team’s executive. So successful was the stakeholders’ meeting that it attracted the presence of Chief Mutekedza born Andrew Zhakata among others. Prior to that, the team had managed to raise just US$ 300.
The club also requires a staggering annual budget of US$ 26 952, 50. The budget covers signing on fees for players as well as salaries and other running expenses. The figure brought silence as everyone came face to face with the challenge that lies ahead.
Speaking before handing over the donation, the Zanu-PF DCC Chairman Venon Muringani rallied the local community to support the club as it belonged to all members of the community. He said it was the responsibility of all residents of Chikomba District to ensure that the club progresses.
“What all we want is unity of purpose in Chikomba and sport offers the best platform to exercise that. We have decided to donate this money because we know the importance of sport. For that reason, we are challenging other political parties to donate to our team so we can prosper as Chikomba District,” said Muringani.
Chikomba Rural District Council Chairman Israel Dhikinya who was present at the meeting said the council will upgrade Garwe Stadium to Division 1 standards before the season begins. He said that the local authority will chip in with transport allowances.
“As a Council we will ensure that Garwe Stadium is serviced to meet D1 standards before the season commences. The council will also provide transport to the team when they travel for away games,” said Dhikinya.
Chief Mutekedza emphasized the importance of sport in society saying that it was both an industry and entertainment. He said sport promotes sanity in the environment by taking away youth from drugs and other vices. He also implored all residents of Chikomba district to help in the best way they can.
The Club Chairman Marufu Madhuveko expressed gratitude to the ruling party and Chikomba Rural District Council for their assistance. He said that the club will continue engaging stakeholders to raise money for player signing on fees. The club wants to raise US$9000 signing on fees for 30 players and US$1000 signing on fees for CAF B and C coaches.
Madhuveko said the club will try to raise something from selling membership cards and club regalia.
“We are happy to have received substantial amount of money from ZANU PF party towards our affiliation fees. We were in a fix on where we could get the money. Now that this has been paid we plan for the resumption of training, signing coaches and players.
“We hope the remainder of the budget won’t be a very difficult to get. It’s a big budget and we still hope that other well wishers will carry on from where Zanu PF left, other members of the community and other political parties as well. We aim to reduce drug abuse in our society through sport and talent development also,” said Madhuveko.
The club is on the verge of making history if they were to overcome the pressure of Division 1 football and play in Premier League as they will become the first team from Mashonaland East Province to play in the top flight league.
