Banket Utd eye top-flight football

Sports Reporter

Northern Region Division One side Banket United has set its sights on winning next season’s championship to seal promotion into the country’s top-flight league.

That was the buzz word at the club’s awards ceremony held in the Mashonaland West town on Sunday.

The community-run club honoured its players and technical team for participating in the just-ended season, and those who excelled in different categories also received prize money. Banket United board member Nqobile Magwizi, who was the guest of honour, supported the team’s ambition to play in the Premier Soccer League, emphasising the need to pour more resources.

Speaking to Zimpapers Sports on the sidelines of the ceremony, Magwizi said the team can only achieve this if it gets the backing of community members — singling out individuals like Blessing Joseph, who has been one of Banket United’s major sponsors over the years through his company, Bike Delivery.

“We desire to see Banket United getting promoted into the premiership as one of the oldest teams in the country.

“It would be nice, a nice story to have this team in the top-flight, of course, there have been various challenges in respect of resources. But we are very hopeful going forward that more resources will be channelled towards the team. What we need to do is bring more partners, there are a lot of people who grew up in Banket, we just need to engage them and make sure that the team is oiled,” said Magwizi.

Magwizi, who is not new to football administration, having been heavily involved in the Dynamos and Highlanders sponsorship by Sakunda Holdings in recent years, said there was need to promote community teams.

Among several projects and initiatives, Magwizi is also credited for the successful European tour by Highlanders and overseeing the Rufaro Stadium refurbishment project which, however, failed after the Harare City Council threw spanners.

“I also think it is important to promote these community teams, especially with the scourge of drug and substance abuse we are fighting. These teams help them a lot, even if they are not playing, they find something to entertain them,” he said.

Banket coach Robert Mukombwe reiterated the calls to pour in more resources for them to achieve top-flight football.

“It’s achievable, but what is important is resources and ensuring that we boost our personnel as well, always making sure the boys are happy.”

Meanwhile, the awards ceremony saw Delight Gandari winning the Soccer Star of the Year award while Tawanda Zulu was named the Players’ Player of the Year.