Prophet donates to football club

Raymond Jaravaza

IN probably a first in local professional football, Bulawayo City FC have courted a surprise sponsor in Prophet Madzibaba Mutumwa of Johane Masowe Echishanu, whose church donated $6 000 to the football club.

Bulawayo City FC received the shot in the arm at the club’s offices at the Tower Block at a gathering that was attended by the club executive, city council officials, Prophet Mutumwa and a member of his congregation. 

“We, the church of Johane Masowe Echishanu, as residents of this great city of Bulawayo saw it fit to support a worthwhile project such as Bulawayo City FC that not only helps to keep our children out of the streets but also creates employment to a lot of talented soccer players.

“Football is a unifier; it brings people together and also feeds a lot of families out there and we decided to show our gratitude as a church to the people of Bulawayo by making this donation, which we hope will go a long way in assisting the club,” said Prophet Mutumwa. 

Club boss Jerry Sibanda heaped praise on team manager Eddie Chivero for stepping out of his comfort zone and casting his net wide to bring on board a sponsor such as the Johane Masowe Echishanu Church. 

“I think we have recorded history as being the first club in the country to court the Johane Masowe Echishanu church, whose donation will take care of some of our pertinent costs. 

“The club receives a grant from the City Fathers but it’s not enough to take care of all our expenses. So I applaud our team manager (Chivero) for going the extra mile in courting Prophet Mutumwa and his church,” said Sibanda.

As part of the Bulawayo City Council owned club’s social responsibility initiatives, the team also pays school fees, purchases uniforms and stationery for a number of less privileged players who turn out for its junior development sides. 

Bulawayo City FC has teams from the Under-13 age group right up to the senior team. 

“So be rest assured that your donation will be channelled to the right causes as we run a number of programmes that assist some of our young boys with their education,” said Bulawayo City FC treasurer Luke Moyo. 

The team tops the Zifa Southern Region log with 11 matches played in the 2019 First Division season. 

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