Sports / Soccer
'You should know that there are people out there who support you wholeheartedly', Bosso told
24 Dec 2011 at 11:52hrs | Views
Minister Mpofu gestures as he addresses a gathering at Highlanders Club house where he donated a set of uniforms to the club yesterday. Listening is his wife Sikhanyisiwe and Highlanders chairman Themba Ndlela.
Obert Mpofu, the MINES and Mining Development Minister on Friday donated a set of 25 uniforms to Highlanders Football Club and urged the club executive to approach him if there were other burning issues that the club needed addressed.
The presentation was done at the Highlanders club house before first team players, juniors and excited Highlanders supporters.
"We have started with the senior team so that the juniors can be motivated to also don the first team jersey," said Mpofu, who was accompanied by his wife Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu.
He said the kit was sourced from China and he had to make sure that it was of high quality.
"I went to China some six months back where upon arrival I was shocked to find Highlanders supporters. We then had discussions about this club and I instructed them to look for a quality kit for Highlanders. I gave them the money to buy it and here it is today," he said.
Mpofu said Andrew Tapela, the club secretary had asked for the donation to be presented during the club's Stars Awards night but he was against the idea as he did not want to take the thunder from the club's programme.
He said his donation was driven by the desire to help Highlanders and see it succeeding on the field of play.
"To the players I urge you to win, I am doing this so that we help you achieve that goal. You should know that there are people out there who support you wholeheartedly and if you win you make them happy," said Mpofu.
Mpofu, who seems to have developed a soft spot for Tshilamoya, said he would love to see the club going back to its old winning ways.
He dispelled any fears that the donation was a political gimmick by the Themba Ndlela-led executive and instead urged the Bosso family to remain united regardless of the outcome of the elections.
Highlanders will hold their elections for the chairman, secretary and committee member in early February next year.
"I was told that there will be elections next year and some people might think this donation is to boost other people's campaigns. No, that is immaterial to me, just come up with a united leadership, if you win or lose just remain united because this club to me is a national team," said Mpofu who made his second donation to the club after bailing it out early this year by paying the debt which the club owed their former coach Mohamed Fathi.
He called upon the Highlanders executive to desist from national politics, saying that territory was for people like him and football administrators should leave national politics to politicians.
Mpofu also said some people might also wrongly construe his gesture for an ambition to a political position in Bulawayo.
"I will not stand for a political office in Bulawayo, my constituency is in Umguza and people there love me, in fact they also support Highlanders and I am doing this for them in a way so that they remain happy," said Mpofu.
The presentation was done at the Highlanders club house before first team players, juniors and excited Highlanders supporters.
"We have started with the senior team so that the juniors can be motivated to also don the first team jersey," said Mpofu, who was accompanied by his wife Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu.
He said the kit was sourced from China and he had to make sure that it was of high quality.
"I went to China some six months back where upon arrival I was shocked to find Highlanders supporters. We then had discussions about this club and I instructed them to look for a quality kit for Highlanders. I gave them the money to buy it and here it is today," he said.
Mpofu said Andrew Tapela, the club secretary had asked for the donation to be presented during the club's Stars Awards night but he was against the idea as he did not want to take the thunder from the club's programme.
He said his donation was driven by the desire to help Highlanders and see it succeeding on the field of play.
Mpofu, who seems to have developed a soft spot for Tshilamoya, said he would love to see the club going back to its old winning ways.
He dispelled any fears that the donation was a political gimmick by the Themba Ndlela-led executive and instead urged the Bosso family to remain united regardless of the outcome of the elections.
Highlanders will hold their elections for the chairman, secretary and committee member in early February next year.
"I was told that there will be elections next year and some people might think this donation is to boost other people's campaigns. No, that is immaterial to me, just come up with a united leadership, if you win or lose just remain united because this club to me is a national team," said Mpofu who made his second donation to the club after bailing it out early this year by paying the debt which the club owed their former coach Mohamed Fathi.
He called upon the Highlanders executive to desist from national politics, saying that territory was for people like him and football administrators should leave national politics to politicians.
Mpofu also said some people might also wrongly construe his gesture for an ambition to a political position in Bulawayo.
"I will not stand for a political office in Bulawayo, my constituency is in Umguza and people there love me, in fact they also support Highlanders and I am doing this for them in a way so that they remain happy," said Mpofu.
Source - TC
