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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
THE Lowveld community has expressed their desire to take over the Zifa Eastern Region 2013 Division One Soccer League champions Hippo Valley FC who were disbanded last week.
The club’s sponsors, Tongaat Hullet, who also bankroll Triangle FC, relinquished Hippo Valley’s Premiership status saying they are unable to fund two-topflight clubs.
Tongaat Hullet said they spent $580 000 financing Triangle meaning that they would have to double the amount if they are to maintain the two clubs.
Charismatic coach Moses Chunga, who led Hippo Valley into the elite league, was one of the many people attached to the club who felt betrayed by the sponsors.
However, there seems to be hope for the Hippo Valley FC followers after community members met Zifa Eastern Region delegation led by chairman Fungai Chihuri and some representatives from Tongaat Hullets on Saturday evening at a hotel in Chiredzi asking for considerations to be made for them to take over the club.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela and Chunga also attended the meeting.
Chihuri said a decision about a possible take-over by the Hippo Valley community would be made on Wednesday.
“The Hippo Valley FC issue about their promotion is a complex one and today (Saturday), we met some community representatives who said they want to take over the club. There were some guys from Tongaat-Hullet at the meeting and they have said that they are going to consult their bosses on how the matter can be handled and we expect a decision on Wednesday because we have a duty to our Eastern Region representatives.
“There is no way that this franchise can go to a club outside the Eastern Region because we are obligated to promote a club to the Premiership every season and we will be bound by that. There are many scenarios that can happen and in the event that a takeover is not successful, the team that finished second will then be considered,” said Chihuri.
He let slip that a man identified only as Hwarare, a popular figure in Chiredzi, was at the forefront of a takeover.
Hwarare is said to have sponsored a number of tournaments during the off season.
There were also talks of a possible name-change.
“Others in the meeting raised the issue of the name and that can be changed depending on Tongaat Hullets’ position but I must say we are pleased that the community is taking an initiative to put this place on the map by having a Premiership team,” said Chihuri.
Hippo Valley FC’s franchise has attracted interest from a number of clubs according to Chihuri.
He said clubs like runners-up Mutare City, former Premiership side Masvingo United and South Downs all from the Eastern Region made enquiries about the availability of the franchise.
“There were people from Masvingo United who were here in Chiredzi asking about the availability of the franchise. Funny enough, even some teams that failed to attend some of their away games are asking about the franchise. Logically, if the takeover fails the team which finished second will represent Eastern Region in the Premiership. There is nothing wrong with that because as we speak, Highlanders won the Mdaba Diamonds Cup but because of certain circumstances, losing finalists How Mine are the ones who will represent the country in the Caf Confederations Cup. So, there is nothing wrong with us as the custodians of Eastern Region to promote the club which finished second,” Chihuri said.
Whoever gets the ticket to represent Eastern Region in the Premiership will join Southern region champions Bulawayo Chiefs, Chapungu of Central Region and ZPC Kariba to the topflight.
Online Reporter