Following numerous an outcry from ratepayers over the bankrolling of Harare City Football Club projects, the Harare City Council this afternoon made shocking announcement that they will stop sponsoring the football team with effect from next season.
The city council had initially projected that the Harare City sports project which include women football teams playing in the local women football Super League and other lower divisions, junior teams projects spearheaded by former Dynamos great Elvis “Chuchu” Chiweshe, in partnership with council schools in the capital, used as a feeder to the Harare City Football Club, will succeed in the long run.
In his State of the City address, Harare Mayor, Herbert Gomba made it clear that the city council will stop sponsoring the football teams advising the Lloyd Chitembwe coached side to start looking for new sponsors ahead of the new soccer season next year.
He however, hinted that the Sunshine City Boys would have new sponsors come next season as the City Fathers have withdrawn.
“We are no longer going to continue sponsoring Harare City FC as we have other priorities,” said Gomba.
He added, “For next season, I appeal to the Harare City FC to look for sponsorship somewhere else and not from us.” he added.
The decision will be welcomed by residents who in the past have tried on several occasions to knock sense into the City Fathers’ heads that football was gobbling a lot of money which should have been channeled towards service delivery.
In 2017, the Sunshine City boys were relegated to the unfashionable Division One, but the following season, the team made a dramatic comeback to the topflight league after purchasing the now defunct How Mine franchise, a move that irked a number of residents.
