DeMbare seek $650k for players

fees as they move to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2012 season.
Club chairman, Kenny Mubaiwa, yesterday said they have negotiated with a number of players – new and old – in the hope of tying up deals but they were being held back by the unavailability of funds.
Mubaiwa said the DeMbare books were in a sorry state despite the huge success they enjoyed this year after winning the league and cup double.
He said Dynamos have placed preparations for the Champions League in their immediate plans but stressed that it was difficult for them to plan ahead without financial guarantees.
DeMbare have also outlined plans to play international friendly games as part of their preparations.
The Dynamos executive yesterday sent an SOS to their sponsors and club supporters to chip in with a financial backing. DeMbare are aiming to raise part of the money at the fund-raising dinner set for tomorrow night in Harare when they also hold their end-of-year player awards.
“We are going to host a dinner where we are hoping to raise funds as Dynamos Football Club.
“We would like to make some preparations for the 2012 campaign but as I speak there is nothing in our coffers. So it is our plea to the sporting world and sponsors to back us financially.
“We are hoping for an amount of about US$650 000 and we want to use this money for signing-on fees for the players we are retaining and also the new players we want to bring,” said Mubaiwa.
But away from the pre-season woes, DeMbare will not worry about the costs of participating in the tournament since they have secured sponsorship from BancABC, who unveiled a US$165 000 package for the campaign recently.
This will see the bank paying airfares for the Dynamos delegation when they are traveling for their away fixtures as well as their allowances and, the club executive will have to worry about the players’ bonuses.
However, Mubaiwa pointed out that the issue of the signing-on fees remains the major sticking point in their preparations as it threatens to scupper their efforts to land the players recommended by the technical department.
They are also still negotiating for the renewal of contracts with the technical team that is led by Calisto Pasuwa.
Last year Dynamos lost a number of players to other clubs after failing to raise the money required on the market. Mubaiwa said they wanted to assemble a strong squad that will be able to compete on two fronts as they hope to make an impression in the Champions League and at the same time fighting to retain their title next season. Goalkeeper Washington Arubi, who was recently crowned Soccer Star of the Year, is among the players whose contracts expire at the end of the year along with Denver Mukamba, Devon Chafa and Martin Vengesai.
“We have since agreed terms with the players and we want to make sure we have the resources in place.
“It’s easy to have the player to sign before paying them but what is important is to have the financial guarantee.
“We don’t want to repeat mistakes from the past where we have the players signing with us but in the end failing to get them because we couldn’t secure the signing-on fees.”
DeMbare are still hopeful to get the services of Arubi who has been on loan from Highfield United despite still owing the Division One club about US$6 000 in outstanding loan fees.
Club treasurer Webster Chikengezha said they were hoping to settle the bill this week. DeMbare will unveil their squad for the 2012 campaign tomorrow night.