adminRay Bande Senior Sports Reporter
DOMESTIC Premiership-bound Dongo Sawmills FC have appointed Nyanga South member of the National Assembly and Information, Media and Broadcasting Services deputy minister Cde Supa Mandiwanzira as their new patron, Post Sport has learnt.
Mandiwanzira will be officially unveiled as the team’s patron during an event meant to bring together all stakeholders in both Nyanga and Rusape slated for Troutbeck Hotel in Nyanga tomorrow (Saturday).
The former ZBC business news anchor is no stranger to sports administration as he was involved in the operations of Manicaland flagship cricket outfit — The Mountaineers — in the similar capacity of patron.
In a statement, Mandiwanzira confirmed tomorrow’s event.
“The patron of Dongo Sawmills FC, the newly promoted Premier Soccer League football club of Nyanga, Hon Supa Mandiwanzira, and its chairman Mr Francis Dongo, would like to invite all stakeholders to a meeting this Saturday at 11am at the Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga to discuss the arrival of Premier Soccer League in Nyanga.
“In particular, the hospitality industry players in Nyanga are encouraged to attend including businessmen, community leaders, school heads, and councillors. The entire district leadership, those who love football as well as those who value the growth of Nyanga, are also invited. All are welcome this Saturday at 11am at the Troutbeck Resort,” read part of the statement from Mandiwanzira.
Saturday’s event will culminate into the Zifa Eastern Region end of year awards ceremony on Sunday at Vengere stadium where Dongo Sawmills FC will officially receive their trophy as well as medals for winning the 2014 league title.
Zifa Eastern Region secretary Simba Wisdom confirmed that the league winners will be conferred with their medals on Sunday.
“On Sunday at Vengere stadium at 11am, we will be giving the Dongo Sawmills administrators and players medals for winning the Zifa Eastern Region Division One title. They will also receive their floating trophy during the same event,” he said.
The Nyanga outfit, which is using Vengere Stadium in Rusape as its adopted home, were promoted into the top flight league after winning the Eastern Region Division One title following a tightly contested race with losers Mutare City Rovers.
In their quest to make a lasting impression in the Premiership, Dongo Sawmills have already started enlisting the assistance of various key stakeholders in both Nyanga and Rusape, hence the move to lure the respected Nyanga South legislator.
Dongo Samwills chairman Francis Dongo also confirmed the developments.
“Yes, we can confirm that Nyanga South member of the National Assembly Supa Mandiwanzira is our new patron. This is one of the many ways we are exploring in our efforts to bring all stakeholders to this project.
“At the end of the day it is all about the development of Nyanga and Rusape as we all know that Premiership football is a source of sporting entertainment for many.
“The good thing is that the club has its roots in Nyanga but at the same time the people of Rusape played a major role in the development of the project.
“After all, there is not much distance to talk about between Rusape and Nyanga. This is how soccer is meant to unite people from different areas,” said Dongo.
The Nyanga businessman also confirmed moves to revamp the team’s structures and give a professional touch to their day to day operations.
“We are also making a number of changes and additions to our team, especially in the administration side of it, in order to give it a professional touch.
“It is unfortunate that it is still premature to divulge each and every move we are making but our fans must look forward to sound management systems in the team’s rank and file next season.
“We fully understand that we are in the Premiership hence the need to approach business with a professional mindset,” he said.
Dongo Sawmills attained Premiership promotion in style when they became the first team to win the Eastern Region Division One title after spending only one season in the second tier league.
Dongo — who were using and will continue using Vengere stadium in Rusape as their home-ground owing to lack of sound sporting structures in the resort town of Nyanga — secured a ticket to partake in the 2015 Castle Lager Premiership, thanks to a 3-1 triumph over lowly Mwenezana on the final day of the Eastern Region Division One League a fortnight ago.
It has since been confirmed that Dongo Sawmills has achieved what no other team managed to achieve in one season since the formation of the Eastern Region.
Online Reporter