Poor guys mustn’t own clubs

Bothwell Mahlengwe
EVERYONE knows that the economic environment is currently tight and full of challenges.
Companies are closing shop every week and, to a large extent, this has affected the financing of our football.
Nonetheless, it is my feeling that we do not have proper financial policies in football that safeguard the welfare of the players, the clubs and the game itself.
Recent events at CAPS United, Chiredzi FC and Shabanie have reinforced the need for a policy on clubs’ finances that ensure the ability of a team to meet its obligations.

I know in developed countries there are financial policies for football clubs that try to guarantee the sustenance of clubs.
There are many reasons that cause clubs to go bankrupt, but it is sad to note that the people who suffer the most are the players and their families.

Most of these players are breadwinners, not only for their immediate families, but for the extended family as well.
And, as such, whenever their vocation fails to pay them their dues the whole clan tends to suffer.

I know very well that the economic environment is harsh but if we want our football to develop, just like any other venture, only those with the financial muscle to fund football projects should be allowed to do so.

It is inhuman to have people sleeping in a toilet, like what was happening at Shabanie.
Soccer players worldwide are regarded with high esteem and to have players in a country’s Premiership living under such conditions should not be allowed to happen.
It was actually shocking to note that the responsible authorities did not take any action.

In fact, they were unmoved.
Only the Footballers’ Union of Zimbabwe promised to investigate. One wonders what will happen of such investigation and their findings. When one looks at the PSL and the man leading the institution you wouldn’t be surprised at their insensitivity to such issues.
Twine Phiri is the owner of CAPS United.
Financial woes have taken permanent residence at CAPS and one then wonders that if such a person can have the resolve to come up with a policy that punishes clubs for failing to meet their financial obligations.
Just imagine what would have happened to most Zimbabwean clubs if they were in English or Scottish leagues?
Most would be in administration because of financial problems.
The Scottish FA showed its intolerance for financial mismanagement by severely punishing one of the biggest team in Scotland, Rangers, relegating them to the third tier division among other conditions.
In Zimbabwe, a team is allowed to run on sentimental and emotional basis.
Chiredzi FC is a case in point.
In all fairness how can you allow a club in Chiredzi to turn into a community club? The fact that more than 50 percent of that community have their livelihood sustained by the company that refused to sponsor the club makes the situation even worse.
That alone should have sent a message. Experience from the country’s two big teams, Dynamos and Highlanders, would tell you that it is impossible to run a community club in this country, especially under these harsh economic conditions.
And these teams are domiciled in the country’s biggest cities where most of the country’s income earners reside.
Now to allow the birth of a community club in a small community like Chiredzi is clear short-sightedness.
From the beginning you could see that the project was headed for disaster. I mentioned it then that this was just a case of some people satisfying their egos.
Unfortunately, we allow such things to happen and in the end the players are the losers. Losers, not only in the financial sense, but career development and time-wise as well. How can we have a player developing properly when he goes for months without getting paid?
For any sustainable player development, a suitable and favourable environment is required.
Some players even have their names tarnished after being fingered in monetary warfare that ensue. It’s really sad.
These are just but tips on the iceberg of the problems players face because of lack of a sound financial policy for clubs participating in our leagues.
My take is there should be proven minimum capital thresholds for football clubs if they are to participate in any of our two top tier leagues. They should be able to prove that they are able to fund the club for at least the tenure of their longest contracted player.
When an individual or a group of individuals or a company decides to go into football they should be prepared to meet the obligations that come with such a decision.
A clear policy should spell out such obligations beforehand to avoid cases where players are short-changed. Not everyone goes on holiday in Honolulu. Only those with the money can do so. The same should happen in our football.
Those with the money should own and run the clubs.
Sometimes you wonder why people even bother to venture into football in the first place.
It is well known that in Zimbabwe there are no returns that you get from running a football club.
To that extent, it is mostly out of passion or a marketing gimmick to venture into football.
That is allowed but for you to do that you should be financially sound. We cannot allow unscrupulous, egoistic and heartless people to continue short-changing our young men and women.
If it is to say we might run a league with fewer teams then so be it. Scottish and Danish leagues have twelve teams.
We need a situation where we know that the players are well catered for. Their salaries and winning bonuses are paid and in time.
Travelling and camping conditions are safe. Medical, insurance, retirement and funeral policies are in place.
We have had cases where players are incapacitated while on duty and there is nothing in place to compensate them. Desmond Maringwa and Francis Madziva are two cases that come to mind.
Playing for a big team like Dynamos, they were left to cater for their medical bills when they had been injured whilst on duty.
I feel for Raphael Manuvire. I pray ZPC Kariba will have the decency to do all they can to save the young man’s career.
It was there for everyone to see that he was their leading light and it would be sad if what we saw would be the last because Manuvire’s career was full of promise.
I leave it with FUZ to lobby for such policy.
Bothwell Mahlengwe is a banker and former Premiership footballer and can be contacted, for feedback, email : [email protected].