Sports / Local
Bosso in serious financial challenges
11 May 2012 at 08:00hrs | Views
RESURGENT Bulawayo soccer giants Highlanders are in serious financial challenges amid revelations by club chairman Peter Dube that the club is being forced to forgo camping ahead of matches.
The situation is so dire that last week the club had to carry packed meals for the players for their away trip to Harare where they beat Black Mambas 3-1 and Zvishavane where they beat FC Platinum by the same margin.
Bosso had in the past religiously stuck to camping before matches.
What is however comforting is that despite these challenges, the team has been getting positive results and they are at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log.
The executive is concerned about the club's state of affairs and they have since appealed to members and supporters and other well-wishers to bail out the club.
"Our situation is bad that is why we are calling on our supporters to come in their numbers and rally behind the team. Just to show that things are not that good, we have had to forgo camping in the last few matches because we just can't afford.
"We do not even know if we are going to camp for the weekend game against Monomotapa. We have got to a stage where we have to prepare umphako (packed meals) for the team because we can't afford to eat at the hotel when going for matches.
"What is comforting is that despite these challenges, the boys are sacrificing to give us good results," said Dube.
Highlanders owes its creditors more than $300 000.
Dube who took over the reins from Themba Ndlela at the beginning of the year said they have been trying to arrest the club's debts by forgoing certain things.
The Bosso boss heaped praises on the principal sponsor BancABC who have been paying the players, technical team and office staff's salaries.
He said they were negotiating with BancABC for transport as well.
"Without the sponsors I do not think this club will be where it is today. As our sponsor they are the people we speak to each time we face challenges. It is unfortunate that there are so many things we have been asking for. They (BancABC) are prepared to help us in terms of transport but I personally feel we have to get our bus to a state where it can take us anywhere," said Dube.
Last year Highlanders also had Buscod Supermarket and Bakers Inn sponsoring them.
Dube said they were in discussions with their former benefactors Savanna Tobacco.
He said they would be undertaking some projects to raise funds for the club.
"We have got fundraising programmes lined up. We will soon introduce boxes at the stadium entrances where people can put cash donations. Our merchandise project has also been rekindled because we want to capitalise on the fact that the team is doing well," said Dube.
The situation is so dire that last week the club had to carry packed meals for the players for their away trip to Harare where they beat Black Mambas 3-1 and Zvishavane where they beat FC Platinum by the same margin.
Bosso had in the past religiously stuck to camping before matches.
What is however comforting is that despite these challenges, the team has been getting positive results and they are at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log.
The executive is concerned about the club's state of affairs and they have since appealed to members and supporters and other well-wishers to bail out the club.
"Our situation is bad that is why we are calling on our supporters to come in their numbers and rally behind the team. Just to show that things are not that good, we have had to forgo camping in the last few matches because we just can't afford.
"We do not even know if we are going to camp for the weekend game against Monomotapa. We have got to a stage where we have to prepare umphako (packed meals) for the team because we can't afford to eat at the hotel when going for matches.
"What is comforting is that despite these challenges, the boys are sacrificing to give us good results," said Dube.
Highlanders owes its creditors more than $300 000.
The Bosso boss heaped praises on the principal sponsor BancABC who have been paying the players, technical team and office staff's salaries.
He said they were negotiating with BancABC for transport as well.
"Without the sponsors I do not think this club will be where it is today. As our sponsor they are the people we speak to each time we face challenges. It is unfortunate that there are so many things we have been asking for. They (BancABC) are prepared to help us in terms of transport but I personally feel we have to get our bus to a state where it can take us anywhere," said Dube.
Last year Highlanders also had Buscod Supermarket and Bakers Inn sponsoring them.
Dube said they were in discussions with their former benefactors Savanna Tobacco.
He said they would be undertaking some projects to raise funds for the club.
"We have got fundraising programmes lined up. We will soon introduce boxes at the stadium entrances where people can put cash donations. Our merchandise project has also been rekindled because we want to capitalise on the fact that the team is doing well," said Dube.
Source - chronicle
