The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) on Friday night reached another milestone by partnering Nyaradzo Group — an opportunity which we believe must not be lost to the clubs in terms of benefits. NewsDay Editorial
During the launch of its Score Pack Plan that will also see fans participating, the funeral assurance company provided buses to Caps United and Black Mambas while Dynamos and Highlanders will get theirs in the not-too-distant future.
Clubs will get 10% commission from the fans they bring to join the new product and now the onus falls on the clubs to market the product and pocket the cash.
What is, however, needed is for clubs to put their houses in order as far as club licensing is concerned or simply standardisation of operations.
Since the Harare Declaration of 2011 there has been little movement in terms of moving clubs to a professional set up with most still lacking the basic communication skills or office requirements.
Clubs are expected to have full-time administrators, with offices and not briefcase football clubs. These administrators should be equipped with the necessary communication tools from the Internet, fax and photocopying machines.
In addition, marketing managers should be put in place for football, like any other sport in the developed world. Football is an industry and not a part-time job that people attend to after their normal work. The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has given PSL direction that club licensing should be completed by the end of the year.
When clubs are presented with such assets as buses they need to have offices. Professional and full-time drivers should be hired and the buses insured.
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We have no doubt that football is moving in the right direction in the country, at least as far as the PSL is concerned, but bringing professionalism is what is now demanded from the clubs.
Highlanders, FC Platinum and Caps United are the clubs known to have full-time administrators in their offices since their bosses work elsewhere. For Dynamos, the key man, Webster Chikengezha, who is the secretary-general, is actually Nyaradzo managing director.
So we hope that this gesture by Nyaradzo puts the clubs on the path to professionalism and realise this worthy investment from the company.
We sincerely hope Nyaradzo is here to stay and the fact that their product is all encompassing gives us that confidence. We need Nyaradzo in this game; the nation is tired of going round in circles and needs a route to the top.
As this is renewal time, Delta Beverages must feel challenged to pour more into the game next season given that sponsors like Nyaradzo, BancABC, Supersport, Mbada Diamonds and NetOne are upping their stakes.
