admin
Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
IN a stunning revelation, Mutare-based Castle Lager Premier Soccer League side Buffaloes have distanced themselves from the Zimbabwe National Army, apparently in a bid to escape the new PSL club licensing requirements. “We are not soldiers but instead we are a community team owned by the Mutare community,” said the club’s secretary general, Tendai Chitowa, during an interview with Chronicle Sport yesterday.
All along, Buffaloes, with the interesting catch slogan, “nyati haisi mombe -watungwa watungwa –ndombolo,” had been referred to as an army side with the authorities never making an effort to deny that.
Chitowa claimed that unlike Black Rhinos, their survival did not solely depend on the army but public benevolence.
“We get our funding from private companies and the community. Yes our principal owner is 3 Brigade Mutare but that does not mean we are soldiers. Our executive is made up largely of civilians. Our chairman, Sibanganiso Matangaidze is not a soldier, his vice Francis Mabika is also not a soldier while I am a former soldier,” said Chitowa.
There are two serving soldiers in the executive, Fisher Masunga, the treasurer and Arnold Gatsi, who is the club’s organizing secretary.
Before changing their name to Buffaloes, the team was called Green Buffaloes and had the likes of Eddie Dube and Eddie Nyika who were all soldiers and at one time plied their trade with the Bulawayo giants Highlanders.
According to the club licensing system Article 9.2.1 A Criteria which deals with ownership and control of clubs, the licence applicant must submit a legally valid declaration outlining the ownership structure and control mechanism of the club and confirming the following:
No natural or legal person involved in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of the club, either directly or indirectly:
a) holds or deals in the securities or shares of any other club participating in the same competition; or
b) holds a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights of any other club participating in the same competition; or
c) has the right to appoint or remove a majority of the members of the administrative, management or supervisory body of any other club participating in the same competition; or
d) is a shareholder and alone controls a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights of any other club participating in the same competition pursuant to an agreement entered into with other shareholders of the club in question; or
e) is a member of any other club participating in the same competition; or
f) is involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club participating in the same competition; or
g) has any power whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club participating in the same competition.
With Black Rhinos, an army outfit, already in the league, the new requirements mean that the army cannot have another team in the league that it sponsors whether directly or indirectly. The latest developments saw newly promoted Hippo Valley owners disbanding the team even though they gave financial constraints as the reason for their decision.
The new club licensing system will see PSL clubs forking out more money in efforts to fulfil a host of requirements.
Online Reporter