The Sunday News
Franklin Chikwanda
SPIRIT Filled International Ministries has a football team and among sponsors is Apostle L Bwanya and the team plays in the Bulawayo Christian League. I caught up with the Coach Farai Munago to get a better insight and here is how the interview ensued. (F.C ) Franklin Chikwanda, (FM ) Farai Munago.
FC: How and what inspired the start of the football team?
FM: We were all inspired by our Apostle (Apostle L Bwanya) to start a soccer team so as to enable our boys to fellowship through sport. She took the initiative and bought us the kit that we have been using throughout all our league games. We also managed to register the team with the Bulawayo Christian League.
FC: Can you explain what you mean by fellowshipping through sport.
FM: We have players who had never been to church but were inspired after seeing the goodness of Christ manifest through some of our players and they did not only join and play for our team but also have become members of Spirit Filled International Ministries (SFIM).
FC: How do you get new players?
FM: When we started we only had players who attended Spirit Filled International Ministries. However, when we registered and joined the Bulawayo Christian League we managed to convince our fellow workmates and friends who we knew were of sound behaviour who were willing to join us market our church name without tarnishing the church brand through the game of football. We managed to recruit players who are well behaved and are good brand ambassadors of our church in addition to already existing church members, not just to add numbers in the league but also to play competitively as well.
FC: How have you been performing in the Bulawayo Christian League?
FM: As per the SFIM theme of the year 2018 “Season Of Victory and Establishment” we are also playing within the realms of the church theme. We have managed to hold our own in the league as debutants. During the Heroes holiday we participated in the Bulawayo Christian League Heroes Trophy and we thank the Anointing of our Apostle which follows us to our games.
Out of 15 teams we lost in the finals to Sangano Legends. Though we lost 1/0 we believe it was a positive achievement. As for our standing in the Bulawayo Christian League we are currently fourth on the log. We however, held the top for 13 weeks and we are hoping to get our rhythm back and reclaim our position at the top. We have 11 games remaining, though we have been affected by national duties as some of our players go to work during match days we are hoping to give our opponents a strong challenge in the remaining games.
FC: Do you have other sponsors?
FM: We would like to thank the Apostle for assisting us financially. We also want to give special mention to Mr and Mrs Nyamhunga who always rise to the occasion when we ask for assistance. We also want to thank other players who assist us week in week out. We however, are looking for more sponsorship and appeal to those willing to sponsor us as we minister the Gospel of Jesus through football.
FC: What is your vision for the future of the team?
FM: Rome was not built in one day but our vision is not to remain in the Christian League but to join the higher Zifa leagues starting from Division 3 until we reach the Premier League.
We also want to be one of the best junior teams in Bulawayo by producing Junior Talent. As our sponsorship grows we are looking forward to having SFIM under 14s,16s and 18s. We need to produce future stars of Zimbabwe coming through the ranks of Spirit Filled International Ministries, we pray to God to have a good partner who can cater specifically for the juniors as we are looking forward to join Zifa Junior leagues by 2020.
FC: Coach, thank you so much for your time.
FM: My pleasure Mr Chikwanda, God Bless.
