DeMbare to buy land for village

DYNAMOS FC, in a bid to unlock its brand equity and assert itself as the biggest and most successful club in Zimbabwe, intends acquiring land for the DeMbare Village.

Club chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze confirmed this at the weekend.

Dynamos are celebrating 60 years of existence and Mashingaidze says the village is top priority as the club seeks to enter its second 60 year window with tangible legacy properties.

In the interview Mashingaidze said the Harare City Council and Local Government Ministrywere being consulted towards the club realizing its dream.

Most big clubs on the continent have investments in real estate, some on long leases while others are permanently owned by clubs. In Zimbabwe, Bulawayo Chiefs, struggling Zimbabwe Saints, Highlanders, Hwange FC and FC Platinum have their own club houses but not to the level of Dynamos’ intended project.

Most have pups and play fields but Dynamos taking a cue from the chief executive’s travels while still at Zifa, presumably, intend to set up a village that compares to the likes of Kaizer Chiefs’ Naturena Village which won praises of Al Ahly of Egypt last year.

While many appear to have braai and drinking as key elements, Dynamos’ plans speak to football and the future of DeMbare as a football brand.

Established in 1963, Mashingaidze says the club is ready to take a turn for the better.

“The Dembare Village is one of our top priorities and engagements have been done with relevant offices to help the Club acquire land for the Village. The Village shall house training grounds, lodgings for players and officials, a gymnasium, swim bath, laboratories for testing, shopping mall, administration block, sports shop, restaurants, chapel, vocational training unit, amusement park, leisure centre and mini stadium,” said Mashingaidze.

Masingaidze said while there is the league pursuit by the club, a big feature of their activities this year will be the 60th anniversary celebrations.

“The 60th anniversary celebrations are one of our star attractions. The celebrations shall culminate in the unveiling of the Hall of Fame, Awards Night and production of the club’s history documentary. Every weekend will afford the fans time to celebrate the Club’s rich history,” said Mashingaidze.

Another project will be a glossy book with Dynamos in pictures capturing some of the club’s biggest moments in the game since 1993.

“A glossy book on the history of the club is being worked on and should be out before the November Awards night. We want to use the 60th Anniversary Celebrations as a club unifying force for the Dynamos family. The celebrations shall be shop window for the Club’s exploits, which exploits were contributed by the club’s different generations spanning the period from 1963 all the way to the 2000s,” said the Dynamos head of secretariat.

Mashingaidze said the fact that Dynamos were playing home matches away from Harare, afforded the club to show its national appeal.

“The new home grounds for the club in Bulawayo and Gweru present an exciting opportunity to the biggest and most decorated club to showcase its national appeal. We know no boundary or barrier in Zimbabwe. We will use this new venue relocation as a vehicle for fan base growth,” he said.

No synonyms found.