IT ALL started with the Delma Lupepe’s Amazulu, Gijima Msindo’s Fire Batteries , Tanda Tavaruva of Masvingo United, Ronnie Chihota-led Blackpool, Eric Rosen’s Motor Action, Solomon Mugavazi-owned Monomotapa, Joel Sorengedo of Shooting Stars, Gift Banda’s Njube Sundowns, Walter Magaya’s Yadah Stars and other earlier football pioneers such as Eric, and Fanuel Gwanzura.
But the revolution now has new benefactors like Scottland’s Pedzai Sakupwanya, Wicknell Chivayo, Hardrock owner Shepherd Chahwanda, Ferg Aveli and Pharoah’s Avelion, and the Jonathan Matanga-led FC Oden.
While many locals have sought the fortune and fame associated with soccer in much the same way as the likes of Silvio Berlusconi, Patrice Motsepe, Roman Abramovic and Arabian billionaires, one of the lingering questions is whether Zimbabwean football is that “lucrative to warrant these investments” – and in a world where the only profitable clubs are the likes of relegation-threatened Totenham Hotspurs!
“Clubs built around individual sponsorship are unlikely to enjoy long-term stability, as they often lack the corporate-backed financial structures needed to weather the demands of top-flight football,” said Green Fuel and Harare City coach, and Dynamos player Masimba Dinyero.
“Without consistent institutional funding, such teams struggle to meet operational costs, retain talent and remain competitive over time, ultimately risking collapse, a fate that befell former sides like Blackpool and Motor Action, which faded from the domestic scene after failing to sustain financial support,” he said.
And the 1989 Soccer Star not only said many business-linked people had ventured into football hoping for better fortunes, but eventually quit after finding the going of sustaining clubs to be tough, as in the case of Blackpool, Motor Action and Monomotapa – a clear demonstration of the dangers or pitfalls associated with the capital-intensive game.
“Way back in 1995, Blackpool, a famous club that reached the semi-finals of the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1995, sold their franchise to Motor Action in 1999.
“Sadly, the Harare-based side, who were popularly known as the Mighty Bulls, faded away into oblivion after winning the 2010 premiership title.
This comes as in February this year the Daily News did a story on the growing influence of cash-rich individuals such as Chivayo and Sakupwanya on Zimbabwean football.
Another iconic premiership club that fell victim to the unforgiving economic environment was 2008 premiership champions Monomotapa. After being weighed down by the severe financial burdens caused by their CAF Champions League run, Monomotapa were eventually relegated before petering out due to financial challenges.
Harare-based sports administrator Solomon Manganyi concurs with Dinyero on the need to for local clubs to shift toward sustainable business models for football clubs, particularly those reliant on ‘handouts’ from individual proprietors.
“Our football ecosystem has many aspects to address, that range from governance issues, right personnel hiring and club ownership structures.
Several times we have noticed that those in football administration have failed to balance professionalism as an administrator and personal business as an individual.
“They (individual club owners) have thrown away the culture of treating football as a business but taking it as a family thing, leading to questionable hiring in a bid to maintain grip on something,” wrote Manganyi, adding that the way local clubs are run is a big turn-off for corporate sponsors.
“Does club ownership structure have a bearing on its ability to attract sponsors or generate revenue? The answer is, yes, it has a huge bearing which most administrators and owners ignore.”
In a bid to promote the sustainability of clubs, Zifa has begun implementing club licensing across the country’s four divisional leagues as part of ongoing efforts to boost local football standards.
Being spearheaded by Zifa vice president and former CEO, Kennedy Ndebele, club licensing seeks to empower clubs to meet essential standards in governance, financial management, technical capacity, football development as well as structural integrity, and sustainability. .
“Club licensing is the foundation upon which sustainable football is built anywhere in the world.
“It allows us to safeguard our clubs, and ensure that players operate in environments that are well organised, safe and professional,” Ndebele said.
Early this year, Zifa club licensing manager Simbarashe Gochera said the push for clubs to professionalise their operations was meant to support clubs rather than punish them.
“Our goal is to guide and empower clubs as they work towards meeting the standards. Club licensing is not intended to exclude but to elevate.
“When clubs are properly structured, the benefits flow to the entire football community.
“We want Zimbabwean clubs to be competitive in the region and on the continent and that starts with strong internal systems,” Gochera said.
However, the current football benefactors insist that they are in the Zimbabwean game for the long haul.
Chivayo has poured millions into several clubs and both women and men national football teams while his brothers are bankrolling Division two side Avelion FC.
Scott, on his part, has bankrolled several premiership clubs through his company -Betterbrands.
The unassuming Chahwanda, on the other hand, has splashed US$20 million dollars on a state-of-the-art stadium in Kwekwe that bears his name.
PATRICK MUBWANDARIKWA