The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Highlanders South Africa Supporters’ Chapter has pledged to donate a prize during the club’s awards set for 2 December while there has been no overwhelming response from local sponsors for the event.
Daniel Molokele, the chairman of the South African chapter said they will assist in the awards by raising at least $300 towards prize money. The organisers of the event can then choose which prize that money can cover. Molokele said they were also making plans to make sure that they are represented during the ceremony.
“As a local SA chapter committee we discussed this matter at our recent meeting, we resolved on the following key resolutions. We will support at least one of the prizes by raising at least $300 towards the prize money. May the organisers feel free to identify the exact prize and tag it under the SA chapter. We will try to be represented at the event, at the moment we are trying to ensure that both our chairman and our vice-chairman will be able to travel to Bulawayo for the event,’’ said Molokele.
Other chapters like the UK where an interim committee was recently put in place said they were considering providing a prize at the awards. Qobolwakhe Mayisa, the UK temporary structure chairman said they are meeting soon to discuss the matter.
Johannesburg-based Amahlolanyama Golf Club who recently donated a car for use by Highlanders coach Erol Akbay were still to make a decision on whether they are making any contribution at the awards ceremony.
Highlanders chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede said sponsors were not falling over each other to bankroll the club’s awards.
“People are not falling over each other to come through, they want to be coerced, the venue will depend on the weather, if it is raining we need an enclosed place, but we have two potential venues at local hotels,’’ said Gumede.
He disclosed that a former Highlanders vice-chairman has already offered a prize for the longest serving player. Even though Gumede did not disclose the name, it has been established that Sikhanyiso Moyo is the one who has provided money for that award. The award is certain to go the way of vice-captain Erick Mudzingwa who is the longest serving first team player, having made his debut in 2007.
According to Gumede, they have approached more than 56 companies to assist in bankrolling the event, with only Autoworld having already made a donation towards the awards ceremony while others are still to respond.
Highlanders will dole out a total of 15 accolades at their awards ceremony. These are the Player of the season, Top goal scorer, Outstanding new comer to the team, Most promising player, Most disciplined player, Longest serving player, Scorer of the most spectacular goal(s), goalkeeper of the season, Players player of the season, Captain’s award, Most consistent player, Most improved player, Best junior player at Division One, Supporters player of the year and Supporter of the year. Companies and individuals are free to choose which award they want to sponsor, with a minimum prize of $300.
Players such as Bruce Kangwa who left Bosso to join Tanzanian club Azam in August, star defender Peter Muduhwa, his defensive partner Tendai Ndlovu, hard working midfielder Rahman Kutsanzira, Simon Munawa, Mudzingwa, Ariel Sibanda and Prince Dube are some of those who are favourites to pick up accolades during the awards ceremony.
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