The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
ZIFA Eastern Region Division One log leaders Manica Diamonds FC, fondly referred to the Gem Boys, unveiled its executive recently at a local hotel.
Former Fifa panel match official and National Association of Primary Heads head in charge of football Masimba Chihowa is the club chairman, Lavet Wadawareva is the vice-chairman, veteran public relations practitioner Sugar Chagonda is the secretary-general while Owen Sango is the club administrator.
The team’s treasurer is Raymond Mabodora. Soft spoken former Highway FC team manager Lloyd Chinawa and ex-Warriors player Lazarus Muhoni are committee members.
Speaking during the ceremony, the club’s secretary general Chagonda said the Manica Diamonds project is being run in terms of corporate social responsibility strategy where they are engaged in various projects that are meant to benefit the community.
“We have done a lot helping the community, one of the projects being the formation of Manica Diamonds FC which is under Sports and Recreation. We have realized that football helps the community by creating job opportunities for the locals. We have managed to employ a number of people, key among them those from Manicaland. We are very happy because the club is doing very well. As we are sponsoring football we have realised that it is a sustainable vehicle for pushing brand visibility. We are very happy with this project and so far so good. The results are quite impressive. We are not only focusing on football but we have done quite a lot of projects.
“To date, the organisation has invested in borehole drilling and rehabilitation, road maintenance and rehabilitation programmes, school renovations and clinic capacitating, scholarship sponsorship and graduate trainee program benefiting the community,” said Chagonda.
Speaking at the same function, the club’s vice chairman Lavet Wadawareva said they are geared up for the elite league.
“Results are coming up. We are happy that our head coach Luke Masomere’s team is doing well. We are on top of the log and we are only left with few months before we are crowned the winners. We are geared up for the elite league. We need to have vibrant programs from the grassroots. As we are approach the end of the season, we are already looking at what we need to take us to the next level of the competition,” he said.
Manica Diamonds are currently the log leaders with a total of 57 points from 21 games.
