adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HOW Mine are dragging their feet on the Mbada Diamonds subsidy with speculation coming out that the Bulawayo side are taking their time to look into the merits of the partnership since it involves branding rights.
The Premiership newboys, who are bankrolled by Metallon Gold, will represent Zimbabwe in the Confederation Cup next year by virtue of being the Mbada Diamonds Cup finalists.
The winners of the tournament Highlanders are still frozen out of the Caf interclub competitions.
Competition rules state that the winners of the Cup will represent the country in the Confederation Cup and the diamonds company will avail a subsidy of US$110 000.
However, according to the tournament contract, the sponsors will not automatically avail the package to How Mine and they are waiting for guidance from the Premier Soccer League for the way forward since the team that won the tournament will not be taking part in the Confederation Cup.
PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele, however, said the gold miners are still to contact them over the subsidy and fears that time could be running out for administrative purposes if they are interested in taking up the offer.
“We had requested them to submit a letter that we should send to Mbada Diamonds. Unfortunately, we had not finalised with them by the time we ended the season.
“It is up to them to do so and we have to bear in mind that a subsidy is not sponsorship. It is something that is meant to boost whatever resources that they may have,” said Ndebele.
However, sources said How Mine may not be comfortable having another mining concern branded on front of their jerseys since the contract between Mbada Diamonds and PSL involves branding rights.
The sources said How Mine could be looking for ways to engage the diamond miners on the issue of branding before making a commitment.
The club, though, did not have any problem during the tournament when they played with Mbada Diamonds branded kits. I think it’s a bit tricky there because the contract involves the issue of branding rights. How Mine are back by a mining company, Metallon Gold, and they may not be comfortable having the branding of another mining concern.
“They may also want their brand to be visible and I am sure consultations will be taking place between the two,” said the source.
The contract this year stated that Mbada Diamonds will give the subsidy to the team that wins the tournament but since Highlanders will not be taking part they now await guidance from PSL.
“It’s different from the previous years when the subsidy could be given to either the winners or the runners-up as was the case with Motor Action in 2011 and in 2012 Dynamos benefited even though they were playing in a different tournament.
“The contract clearly states that the subsidy is for the winners of the Mbada Diamonds Cup so the sponsors can only stand guided by the PSL. It’s a bit of an ambiguous clause because Mbada Diamonds may accept or turn down the request.”
How Mine secretary James Zibowa could not be drawn into discussion over the Mbada Diamonds subsidy.
Zibowa said the club will convene a meeting before the New Year to look into their maiden campaign in Africa and also take stock of their squad ahead of the December 31 deadline set by Caf to submit their team list.
“We are quite aware of that (Mbada Diamonds subsidy) and we will communicate our position through the PSL chief executive. “In fact, we are going to hold a meeting after the Christmas holidays to look at our preparations and I think any form of support will be welcome,” said Zibowa.
“The coach has his training programme for January and there are also other players we are discussing with to boost our squad.
How Mine will start their campaign in the preliminary round against Chouni FC of Zanzibar over the weekend of February 7-9.
Online Reporter