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Sports Correspondent
HIGHLANDERS FC has been challenged to build their own stadium to cement their status as one of the top teams in the country.
Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Martin Moyo said Highlanders was one of the most professional teams in the country but should emulate international teams by owning its own stadium.
Addressing guests during the official opening of the Bosso@90 Photographic Exhibition on Thursday at the National Gallery in Bulawayo, Moyo expressed his desire to assist Bosso secure land from the Bulawayo City Council before his term ends.
Highlanders launched the exhibition as part of its 90 years commemorations and the showcase is set to run until 30 January 2017.
Moyo said the club had approached them with requests to lower ground rentals and it is something they have under consideration although he felt the best panacea would be for the club to build its own sporting complex that houses a stadium.
“As council we thrive to grow sport and not hinder its progress and these stadium charges are not meant to punish Highlanders or any other club. We want to see clubs grow but maybe these charges could be adding on to the financial struggles facing the club.
“However, it could be a different situation if Highlanders has its own stadium. Before I leave office I would like to see Highlanders come with a request for a piece of land so they can start building their own stadium,” said Moyo.
He said it was critical for sports teams to invest in property as a way of securing their financial future.
Moyo paid tribute to Highlanders saying it has a special place within Bulawayo.
“There can be no Bulawayo without Highlanders as the two have become intertwined although as council we have Bulawayo City, I believe Bosso retains the status of being an icon of the city.
“We are proud of Highlanders as it celebrates 90 years and any institution that has reached those years shows it is led by people with vision who have been able to groom others to take over and ensure its survival,” he said.
The official launch of photographs depicting the club’s history over the years was also addressed by historian, Pathisa Nyathi, Highlanders board chairman Mgcini Nkolomi, former Bosso player and coach, Barry Daka and Gallery director Voti Thebe.
On show are various pictures of the club’s former players in action, administrators, team line-ups and individuals who have played a role at the club.
Among the photographs include a team line-up of the 1986 side that faced that year’s soccer stars and featured Caps’ Stanley Ndunduma as a guest player, several action pictures, a picture showing Bruce Grobelaar as a brand ambassador of furniture store Nyore Nyore and various tours undertaken to foreign countries.
Bosso@90 Celebrations Committee chairman, Luke Mnkandla said the exhibition is meant to tell the Highlanders’ story through pictures.
Nkolomi said the club would be hosting various events yearly as they march towards their centenary celebrations.
Among those who attended the exhibition included fans, artistes, former players such as Lawrence Phiri, Johannes Tshuma, Douglas Mloyi and Highlanders officials.
Highlanders are one of Zimbabwe’s most popular and highly decorated soccer clubs founded in 1926 by the grandsons of the Ndebele King Lobengula, Rhodes and Albert, and their friends.
Events held this year to mark this momentous occasion included visits to the graves of the club’s founders, brothers Albert (Gwatemba) and Rhodes Khumalo (Grahamstown, South Africa), a multi-discipline sports festival, exhibiting at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, a raffle that saw fans winning original club replicas and visits by school children to watch Highlanders playing at home.
Highlanders’ name over the years has been associated with professionalism and quality administration and remains one of the few clubs to own club offices and a clubhouse.
Bongani Ndlovu