adminJivans, whose age was not given, collapsed and died in the city on Thursday morning just hours before the verdict from the arbitration centre was released.
As would be in the past, the members of the Watosvorwa family, as Hardbody are known, would have gathered for drinks at Railway Station Bottle Store for celebrations but on Thursday evening they had to pay tribute to the proprietor of the place.
Hardbody co-directors Takesure Sibanda and Harrison Matimati led the executive to the funeral wake to pay their respects to Jivans.
“We could have been here to celebrate the promotion but sadly because of the untimely death we are here to dedicate the win to the late Jivans,” said Sibanda.
Organising secretary Malvern Paradza paid tribute to the entire executive, coaches, players, directors and supporters for exercising patience.
“It was now becoming evident that we would win the case judging by the successive verdicts from the Zifa Appeals Committee and now the Commercial Arbitration Centre.
“Facts are stubborn to ignore and we are happy we have prevailed,” said Paradza.
The victory and subsequent promotion became a perfect birthday present for club chairman Patrick Chikwanda who got the news while in Gwanda on business.
“The team has given me a perfect birthday present and this will be a birthday to remember,” said Chikwanda.
The development also rekindled fresh speculation that the club was courting a mining giant to bankroll the campaign but authorities have remained mum.
On the ground, the Gweru community celebrated the promotion urging Hardbody to defy the delay and assemble.
At Kudzanayi Bus Terminus and Kwa Kombayi Market where the club draws most of its supporters, celebrations broke out soon after the news filtered through.
However, the celebrations could be cut short with the headache of assembling a competitive team.
Online Reporter