The ManicaPost
Senior Sports Reporter
VETERAN sports administrator Masimba Chihowa has been appointed the new Manica Diamonds chairman in a move aimed at enhancing the relationship between the club and fans in Mutare as well as uphold corporate governance.
Until the appointment of Chihowa, Newton Demba, the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) supply chain executive, was the chairman hence the need to wean the club day to day administrative functions from the sponsors.
Demba confirmed the latest development.
“I will be stepping down as the founding chairman of Manica Diamonds FC to assume an advisory role. This has been informed by the need to institute and observe proper cooperate governance structures.
“I have an executive role to play on the sponsor’s side and being involved in the day to day running of the club will not bring the much needed independence in governance of the club.
“There should be clearly defined boundaries between the club and its sponsors.
“Manica Diamonds is a legal persona and should even start to think of its existence beyond Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company.
“Masimba Chihowa, a former Caf and Fifa referee, a Zifa councilor representing soccer at primary level as the national chairman and a headmaster for a well run school in Mutare (Chancellor) will take over.
“He is a leader, a man of integrity and well respected in the football fraternity.
“Coupled with his vast experience, I don’t doubt his ability to lead the club.
“My mandate was to establish the team and set a well defined road map. We have assembled a good and well respected technical team and the football team itself,” Demba said.
He said Manica Diamonds are ready for the 2018 Eastern Region Division One season.
“The level of preparedness is very high as we have played and performed so well against notable teams like Ngezi platinum, Black Rhinos, Triangle FC, Mutare City Rovers, Buffalos and Tenax.
“As we draw closer to the start of the league, there is need to integrate the team with its supporters and the only way to achieve this is to identify and appoint local leadership to key positions within the administration,” Demba said.
The Chancellor Junior headmaster will be leading a commendably slim executive that includes Lovet Wadawareva as his deputy while veteran public relations practitioner Sugar Chagonda is the secretary-general.
Raymond Magodoro is the treasure.
The organising secretary or administrators office will be manned by former Africa Trust official Owen Sango
Former Warriors, Buffaloes and Black Rhinos player Lazarus Muhoni was included in the executive in charge of junior development.
Newly formed Manica Diamonds will be playing in the Eastern Region Division One League in the 2018 season under the tutelage of veteran gaffer Luke Masomere.
The club has attracted a number of well known players from both the domestic Premiership and fellow Division One teams.
Steven “Dealer’ Sibanda, Jorum Muchambo, Hibron Makukutu, Jacob Muzokomba, dreadlocked Patrick Dubs, Moses Gutu, Timire Mamvura, Edgar Tapera and Nelson Tachi are some of the well known players that will be turning out for Manica Diamonds this season.
Manica Diamonds have made no secret of their intentions to win the Zifa Eastern Region championship and secure a place in the top flight league.
