FC PLATINUM Holdings — the new owners of Premier Soccer League club FC Platinum — have embarked on an ambitious programme to become the first Zimbabwean club to list of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE).
BY SPORTS EDITOR
This was revealed by club president George Mawere at a fundraising dinner for the team’s participation in the Caf Confederation Cup, at a Harare hotel on Friday night.
Platinum beat Sofapaka beat 2-1 in the first leg, preliminary round last week in Nairobi and host the East Africans at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane this Saturday.
“From our principal and main sponsor Mimosa, I would like to personally thank Winston Chitando (Mimosa executive chairman) for giving us his precious time and ideas during the setting up of FC Platinum Holdings, a business unit for the financing of our club.
“I am proud to let you know that our football club is now 100 percent self sufficient in line with Fifa club licensing,” Mawere said.
He added: “My vision is to make FC Platinum club a registered company at the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange,” he said.
The club, a brain child of Mimosa Mining Company, has been weaned off into a commercial entity although the mine remains the principal and main sponsor.
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After being separated from the mine, FC Platinum now exists under a new structure with two subsidiary elements-the football club and the commercial arm. The commercial wing has catering services, gym facilities, cleaning services, regalia sales, platinum lounges and platinum bars.
The event was attended by guest of honour Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mines minister Walter Chidhakwa, Mimosa executive chairman Winston Chitando and long time club benefactor and Bulawayo business Worthwhile Mugabe, who runs DSK Wholesalers, among other companies in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
To be a platinum sponsor, an individual has to pay $150 000 and will have their logo emblazoned on the Caf jersey, social media platforms, free advertising space at Mandava for a season, 10 free tickets per match, access to Platinum players as brand ambassadors, logo on Press conferences as backdrop and logo on match day programme.
The gold partner pays $75 000 while the diamond partner has to fork out $50 000. The first diamond partner is Bolt Gases which paid the entire amount at the function.
Businesspersons Calisto and Lydia Jokonya, who run Success Motivation Institute parted with $16 800.
Cell Holdings offered free insurance cover for the entire football club, while Coloursell Furnishers paid for a full page advert in the club’s new magazine.
“In line with good corporate governance principles, I would like to assure you that all finances in our club are accounted for. We have proper, robust, operational systems that are audited in line with best practice. We are accountable and therefore your donations will be put to right use, “Mawere said to the full house.
The event was attended by, from the football fraternity, Zifa chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze, board member Fungai Chihuri, PSL chairman Twine Phiri, his chief executive Kennedy Ndebele and marketing manager Rodwell Thabe, Zifa marketing manager Wellington Mugwagwa, and the association’s communications manager Xolisani Gwesela.
