The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
PLAYERS in the hospitality industry have joined the bandwagon of social football with a significant number of hotels and beer outlets in Mutare forming clubs that are set to partake in potentially exciting weekend matches.
Two of the leading city centre hoteliers – Holiday Inn and Golden Peacock – have formed teams that are now playing against other local social soccer clubs week-in week-out.
Holiday Inn general manager, Charlton Chimbira said: “The club was formed primarily for wellness and recreation for staff members. The response has been fantastic and we hope this will add value to the wellness of our staff as well as social cohesion.”
Golden Peacock general manager, Adonis Mutigwe echoed Chimbira’s sentiments, saying this is an initiative meant to promote good health among staff members.
“We are excited to have finally formed our own social soccer club that is playing against other local teams. The initiative is meant to promote good health among staff members.
“It will also go a long way in helping promote our brand visibility and possibly secure business through interaction during social soccer matches,” said Mutigwe.
Several beer outlets in Mutare have also joined the social soccer frenzy by having community and patrons teams.
Dangamvura’s Rozvie FC, a team mainly for patrons of Rozvie Gazebo, has been playing against local teams since its formation three weeks ago.
Eddie Gopo, the owner of the Rozvie Empire, said: “We are playing against different teams every Sunday at our home ground, Rujeko Primary School. We will soon be visiting other teams as we take the initiative of social soccer more seriously.
“We started three weeks ago and we have played Chipolopolo FC, Zimra FC and Boka. We are happy with the progress we have made as a team,” said Gopo.
Acid FC, a team formed for patrons of Acid Bottle Store in Zimta and Bernwin suburbs, is also set to start playing against other local social soccer teams.
Acid Bottle Store proprietor, Charlton ‘Heavy Stuff’ Muchisi said: “We have finished assembling a social soccer team to play against other local clubs. If the weather permits, we are geared to have our first encounter this coming weekend. This is an initiative that we thought will be good for the well-being and health of our patrons.”
