FINANCIALLY struggling Highlanders Football Club have received a shot in the arm after businessman Wicknell Chivayo yesterday pledged a US$1 million sponsorship package towards the team to "secure new talent and cover player sign-on fees to foster a more competitive 2025 Premier Soccer League”.
He said the package, which includes an immediate injection of US$250 000 towards various administrative requirements, will run over the next year.
Announcing the sponsorship on his social media handles, Chivayo, who said he is an avid Highlanders supporter, said the package is in honour of his uncle, the late Vice-President John Landa Nkomo.
“It is my greatest pleasure to avail sponsorship worth US$250 000 in cash to Highlanders FC, as my small token to assist the club in its various administrative requirements."
“This is just part of a broader sponsorship package of US$1 million that will run over the next year to help the club secure new talent and cover player sign-on fees to foster a more competitive 2025 Premier Soccer League.”
"My love for Bosso goes much deeper and beyond that of an ordinary supporter. I vividly recall a significant moment in December 2012 when I visited my beloved uncle, the late Vice-President John Landa Nkomo, at St Anne's Hospital, where he had a very emotional conversation. Little did I know that it was going to be our last. He made his wishes very clear to me. Firstly, I must fiercely support the ruling party, Zanu PF, as it ushered in the independence and liberation of our beloved country from the elitist colonial rule. Secondly, he asked that to the best of my abilities, I should always support his family Trust in the event of his demise. Lastly, being the avid football supporter that he was, he asked me to assist Highlanders FC in every possible way to preserve its history, shape its future and create a lasting legacy of the football club in Zimbabwe for generations to come.”
Chivayo has appointed Nkomo's son Jabulani to assist the club in a curatorship role.
“His involvement will only be to work closely with the leadership of Highlanders FC, ensuring that the disbursement of this sponsorship is strictly per the club's budgeted expenditures to support player welfare and strengthen administrative excellence. I believe this will help to preserve the integrity of the club and promote its performance sustainably, for the love of the game. It is in the best interest of Highlanders FC to enhance transparency and safeguard the positive impact intended through this sponsorship.”
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He also called on other wealthy businesspeople and the private sector to join hands with the government in developing sports in the country.
“It is my humble conviction that there should be significant private sector involvement in sports development to make a notable difference to the game of football. This aligns well with His Excellency, President E.D. Mnangagwa's clarion call for private business to partner with the government in developing the socio-economic aspirations of our nation under Vision 2030.”
This is not the first time that Chivayo has come to the aid of Highlanders.
In February, Chivayo gave the club US$27 000 to avert a Fifa transfer ban over salary arrears owed to their former coach, Baltemar Brito, and his assistant, Antonio Joao Torres.
The 42-year-old has also previously donated US$1 million to the Zimbabwe Football Association.
Highlanders FC chief executive officer Kindman Ndlovu said: “We are yet to meet as Highlanders FC leadership over this new development.”
