The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
THE social soccer match pitting one of Mutare’s most organised outfit, Chipolopolo and Masvingo Corporates played at St Dominic’s High grounds last week on Saturday was more than just a boozers’ tie as business synergies were created in a relaxed atmosphere in post-match interactions.
Unlike most social football teams that mainly take the initiative as a pastime activity, and at times for purposes of wellness, Masvingo Corporates is a social soccer team that adds value to the game by creating time to discuss business opportunities after every game.
It is bankrolled by different companies in the country’s oldest city.
With Chipolopo having some of their players in different sectors of entrepreneurship, the stage was set for post-match interaction in a hassle-free mood while discussing business deals.
Chipolopolo chairman, Simba Rukanda said the plan to infuse entrepreneurial development initiatives after football matches is working out well for the club.
“As Chipolopolo, we are also moving towards using social soccer to enhance business deals.
This is one area that was being taken for granted for a long time.
“Apart from the usual wellness and pastime activity that we used to treat social soccer, we saw it prudent to transform the initiative to help boost our entrepreneurial initiatives. We are happy that it is working out well,” said Rukanda.
In fact, Chipolopolo FC is also transforming the whole social soccer concept for social good.
“We have observed that there are lot of things that we can do as a social soccer outfit to add value to the community we live in. We are also into tree planting and to this end we have engaged Nyaradzo Funeral Services who are providing the trees. We all know the importance of trees and the call to plant trees,” he said.
The Mutare side will soon travel to Masvingo for a reverse fixture against Masvingo Corporates.
“We will soon travel to Masvingo for a reverse fixture. What that means is that we will witness more business deals being discussed and thrashed out,” Rukanda said.
Chipolopolo FC is not affiliated to any league, but is a social soccer club that engages opponents anyhow and at times for a particular purpose like business in last week Saturday’s case.
Rukanda said: “We also feel that joining the league restricts us to certain geographical location. We are happy with engaging any team, any day, far and wide as well as local.”
Three teams featured in last week Saturday’s social soccer feat including, hosts Chipolopolo FC, Masvingo Corporates and guest club, Ghetto Stars, which was invited as a third team just to make the day more exciting and play the matches on a round robin basis.
Chipolopolo won 5-2 against Ghetto Stars and went on to beat Masvingo Corporates 3-1.
