adminTobias Mandoreba Hwange Sports Correspondent
CASH-STRAPPED Hwange based Zifa Southern Region Division One side Mpumalanga FC held a second fundraising tournament on Sunday at Nengasha Stadium as the club continues to seek support from the corporate world.Around $1,000 has been raised from the two events but the team requires a total of $2,910 to clear affiliation fee arrears from last year.
Speaking on the sidelines of the weekend tournament, the club’s chairman Edward Museke made a passionate appeal on behalf of his team in their hour of need.
“We’ve decided to hold another fundraising tournament as we seek to do something ourselves besides sending out the begging bowl to individuals and companies locally and outside Hwange to urgently chip in to assist us. Mpumalanga FC is a community team with no particular sponsor at the present moment.
“We want to help these young footballers whose careers hang in the balance because of lack financial resources. We’ve 2014 arrears amounting to $2,910 and this amount needs to be paid by February 17, otherwise there’ll be no Mpumalanga FC in the Southern Region Division One League this year,” he said.
“I’m assuring everyone that we’ll advocate transparency as a committee and ensure all their donated funds are put to good use. To the people of Mpumalanga suburb, this is your team and don’t let it collapse while you are watching. These days soccer is business and youngsters are making a living off it hence my humble plea to all the stakeholders,” said Museke.
Caps Hwange Chapter Select won the tournament beating Hwange SDA and Mpumalanga.
Gabriel Chikomo, an athletics legend in the Chamber of Mines who played for the tournament winners, was voted Player of the Tournament.
The Museke-led executive was ushered into office during mid-2014 and has Robert Mathuthu as the vice-chairman.
Former Lanchashire FC vice-chairman Ephias Chimuka is the treasurer while Mqhelisi Ndlovu is the team’s secretary.
Krenias “Masvingo” Tarusarira comes is the team manager.
The committee members are Jones Sambo, Matthews Kadzviti, Edmore Jena and Rangarirai Pedzisai.
The Mtenjwa Moyo-coached outfit has a host of talented players who include Zifa Southern Region 2014 Soccer Stars of the Year finalist Wellington Chipendo, Andrew Chakoya, Shepherd Ncube, Clayton Lungu and Freddy Milanzi.
Online Reporter