The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sport Correspondent
HIGHLANDERS Football Club principal sponsors, BancABC have reportedly tasked the club to come up with a new proposal as they begin talks to renew their sponsorship deal that comes to an end of 2017.
The parties met in Harare on Thursday and while BancABC officials tasked Bosso to compile a proposal, funding for the new deal could be reduced due to the harsh economic environment obtaining in the country.
Club officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Sunday News that chairman, Peter Dube, secretary, Emmet Ndlovu and treasurer, Donald Ndebele have been tasked with crafting the proposal that would be forwarded to the Pan-African financial institution for consideration.
There is concern and worry within the Highlanders family over the pending expiry of the current deal as the club is facing a financial crisis of its own.
“The club officials met BancABC and they told us to come up with a proposal for consideration although there are indications the total package for next year could be reduced although there was no concrete figure tabled,” said the official.
With debts hovering at $750 000, Highlanders is hard pressed to get a funding deal that would meet most of their recurring expenses such as salaries, camping expenses and winning bonuses among others.
Last year the financial institution committed $400 000 for the 2015 season, compared to the $700 000 they availed to the club in 2014.
Highlanders has struggled to raise money from its life members following a decision they pay a $20 monthly fee towards the sustenance of the club which has been struggling to pay winning bonuses for the players and technical department.
In August the club only realised a paltry $240 raised from 12 members that paid.
Speaking to our sister paper, B-Metro Highlanders chief executive officer, Ndumiso Gumede appealed to members to fork out the dues to ensure the survival of the club.
“There are many monetary requirements that the club has to meet and we are asking those that claim the club is theirs to contribute even $5 or less per month. Umfula ugcwaliswa ngezifudlana (tributaries fill up a river),” he added.
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