Hwange chairman Hove resigns

From Tobias Mandoreba in Hwange
HWANGE Football Club chairman Joseph Hove has left his position at the coalminers after resigning from the coal mining giant where he was employed as a medical doctor.
Hove had taken over the reins from former Premier Soccer League board vice-president Joe Zulu at the beginning of last year and was supposed to continue up to the end of this season.

In an interview with Chronicle Sport, the team’s secretary Burzil Dube, who has assumed the post in an acting position, confirmed the development at the club which finished ninth on the standings last year.

“Yes, I can confirm that our chairman Joseph Hove has since left his position after he resigned from the company at the end of last year.
“We are very grateful as an organisation and the club in particular for the sterling job Hove did over the period in which he was at the helm of Hwange Football Club.

“In life people move on and we have to accept that we could not have him forever here but it would have been great for him to continue leading the club in a highly professional manner and dedication which he displayed during his stint.” said Dube.

The team is sponsored through the company’s estates department.
Hove had served in a similar capacity at Blue Swallows, the former Air Force of Zimbabwe Premiership side from Manyame near Harare before he joined the Colliery.

In a telephone interview Hove said he was now based in Harare but would continue to work behind the scenes to ensure Hwange Football Club remains a force to reckon with in local football.

“I might have left the Colliery but my heart is still there and will devote lots of time working to ensure I assist Hwange FC. I am more than willing even to serve as a country committee member based in the capital so that I can mobilise support and other forms of motivational assistance to the boys.” said Hove.

“On top of everything I am confident that the current committee which I headed is very dedicated to the cause of the team which should be a positive factor as the team is very ambitious.” he added.

The other members of the current Hwange executive committee are Bekithemba Sibanda (treasurer), while former player David Phiri, Tichavona Mfandaedza, Zifiso Moyo and Lisutu Ndlovu are committee members.

Meanwhile, Hwange will start their pre-season preparations on Monday and have lined up a few friendlies from the first week of February.
Among those expected to be part of the pre-season training is Alick Marime who was acquired from relegated Beitbridge-based outfit Tripple B and former national team midfielder Rodwell Chinyengetere who was injured in September 2012 against Monomotapa after a nasty collision with goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi.

The team has managed to retain almost all the players who did duty last season while youngsters who include Trevor Ncube, Edward Halungu and Tawanda Chando have been loaned out to gain experience.