Highlanders are a big institution and if properly run, the club should never be crying out so loudly about a lack of sponsorship or financial capacity.
Bosso boast one of the most passionate and supportive fan bases in the country.
With proper structures and strategic planning, that support alone could easily be transformed into the club’s biggest cash cow.
However, those running the club of late, appear either out of touch with reality or simply unwilling to embrace fresh ideas needed to move the institution going forward.
Highlanders’ biggest challenge over the years and one that appears to be worsening each year, has been lies, dishonesty and greed from its leaders
Reading a section of the club’s recent AGM report which states that “outstanding signing-on fees dating from 2022 to 2024” were settled using part of Wicknell Chivayo’s US$1 million donation issued in June last year was deeply painful, especially given there are manay players the club still owes.
The Sir Wicknell Chivayo Fund provided substantial financial relief to the Club. The funds enabled the settlement of outstanding signing-on fees dating from 2022 to 2024, payment of winning bonuses and coverage of operational expenses including camping, travel and player allowances. Detailed financial disclosures will be presented by the Executive Committee Member responsible for Finance,” reads the section.
How can a club that recently released Raphael Pitisi, who still had a running contract but opted out for reasons best known to him, likely including player welfare concerns, present such claims to its loyal supporters at an AGM?
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Pitisi was reportedly owed close to US$5 000, but chose to forgo the money simply to obtain his clearance, joining FC Platinum.
Without doubt, he is not the only player still owed signing-on fees.
This points to a worrying culture of selective payments, where certain players and individuals are prioritised.
Arguably, if Bosso are to move forward, honesty, transparency and accountability by it leadership must replace the current culture.
Without that, even if 10 Chivayos come on board, the club risks slowly crumbling from within.
