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value that is abundant in the sport.In an unprecedented move, Msipa decided that his contribution to the development of the game would be to give the Football Trust a huge piece of land where they could undertake commercial activities like building offices, a warehouse as well as constructing a stadium that would be used for development purposes.
Most corporate entities and individuals who have come in to help football, have often chipped in with cash donations, but Msipa, who was instrumental in setting up the Five-a-side league in this country, has chosen a different path.
His donation also comes in at a time when cash-strapped Zifa have been struggling even for assets and turned to the Football Trust for salvation.
The land is located along Airport Road in Hatfield, 500 metres from the iconic Independence Arc and becomes the first tangible asset that the independent trust, which was recently put in place to mobilise resources on behalf of Zifa, has secured so far.
It is the Trust’s intention to also use the land to build offices, a warehouse and a stadium that will be used for development purposes.
After securing funding that enabled the Warriors to fly out to Alexandria for their World Cup qualifier against Egypt last month, the Trustees — a team of captains of industry and eminent persons — have not rested on their laurels and have been using the time between the national teams’ assignments to address some of the aspects of the wide-ranging mandate they were given by Zifa.
This includes building the local game’s capacity and unlocking the value in local football through various marketing initiatives and luring more corporate partners for the game.
Msipa said working together with the Trust was a good step towards supporting local soccer and pledged to continue with the support.
“Football has the potential to play key roles in society and I am happy to be donating once again towards the sport,” Msipa said.
The son to former Midlands Governor Cephas Msipa, Masimba is not new to the football circles having been instrumental in the formative years of Five-a-side league with the likes of Zimbabwe Soccer Supporters leader Eddie “Mboma’’ Nyatanga.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, ZFT chairperson Tshinga Dube said they are very happy to have received the land and added that it would be crucial in their turnaround strategy for Zimbabwean football.
“As a Trust, we have a dream to see Zimbabwean football scale new heights and hitherto uncharted territories and realise our full potential.
“Today’s donation is a milestone occasion, which will go a long way in enabling us to achieve our goals. The need to turn the fortunes of Zimbabwean soccer lies in the hands of all citizens.
“It is pleasing to note that we have people in our society who are prepared to go out of their way and see the nation succeed,” Dube said.
Dube underscored the need to bring back the glory days in local soccer and noted that such a feat needed “everyone’s support’’.
“We call on every Zimbabwean to walk in the same journey so that we can take our football to another level.
“The donation represents another successful story for the trust, especially after we raised funds to cater for the Warriors’ trip to Egypt and the fact that Zifa will be celebrating 50-years,” Dube said.
Chief operations officer at Zifa, Joseph Mamutse, hailed the donation as a milestone for Zimbabwean football.
Mamutse said the Trust’s initiative to consider setting up commercial ventures on the property would also ensure more revenue streams for Zifa, who until the arrival of the
Trust, have had to largely rely on the gate takings from the few Warriors home games.
“We are really excited with the donation. This is the kind of direction that our game needed in order to grow and scale greater heights.
“It is now time to forget past ills that affected our football, we need to put behind us all the problems related to Asiagate because now is the time to move forward and ensure that the game really develops,’’ Mamutse said.
Mamutse also paid tribute to Msipa.He has always loved football and this is his initiative.
“He has a piece of land and after being approached by the Trust, he felt that his contribution to grow football would be to give land.
“He has always been arguing that just like other facets of the country, football should also own its resources and this is one major way of doing that,’’ Mamutse said.
Mamutse saluted the efforts being made by Dube and his crew in the Trust, to try and tackle the problems that have been pegging back football.
“We are really grateful to the Trust for the work they are doing.
“In addition to settling Zifa’s huge debts, we are grateful that the Trust also wants to see development taking place in the game,’’ Mamutse said.
Online Reporter