The Sunday News
Zenzo Moyo
Teams must not rely on gate takings alone. Gone are days where clubs would pay winning bonuses and salaries using gate takings.
Serious teams now have different portfolios manned by different personnel like academy director and commercial director.
These guys can be given targets to reach as they are paid on commission. Imagine with a huge following where week in week out they sell weekly club magazines, jerseys, cups and flags, they will even have the luxury of giving seasoned fans an incentive. Clubs with a vision will give privileges and benefits to life members.
How do clubs then account to paying winning bonuses and salaries? Clubs must have a strong junior policy. When I say strong I’m talking employing qualified qualify coaches.
Coaches can also be capacitated through exchange programmes where they are taken abroad to learn from more professional clubs.
After the coaches have the knowledge then we can talk about development at a younger stage for our players.
There are two sides of the coin that will benefit.
The fans will enjoy a good brand of football while the club competes for championships and trophies. The club will then have the market knocking at their door hence reducing the stress of money to run the club.
There are no refresher courses for the old coaches. Clubs should not be afraid to invest on their junior coaches. Take for an example Gift Lunga Jnr, in many years he has been involved with junior development but has not been given much recognition.
There are these old coaches who don’t want to give upcoming coaches a chance and hence football is boring to watch. If it’s a game between young coaches, it’s pound for pound and very exciting.
Finally, congratulations to the Gems for the good show at the world stage. With enough support from the corporate world we could have definitely gone far.
Please accept my apology for not being in touch, it has been to work commitments.
Until we meet next week. I will be telling it as it is without fear or favour.
