By Tavonga Munyanyi
Since its establishment in 2022, Central Region Division 2 side, Baobab Stars Football Club in Shurugwi South under Chief Ndanga is battling for survival due to lack of sponsorship.
The club Chairman Advance Chatora said lack of sponsorship was hindering the club’s journey towards prosperity.
“We don’t have any sponsorship to relieve our team from financial constraints. When we started this journey, we used to contribute as executive members but some ended up failing and that has affected our growth.
“As club chairperson, at times I’m forced to use my personal resources to pay for service and using my own vehicle to provide transport service with the help of the team head coach Tapretta Kanyemba, Assistant Coach Rungano Mashawi and the secretary Grammer Tafi,” said Chatora.
He said the team was using one soccer ball for training and matches, two soccer jerseys whilst players were struggling to buy soccer boots for themselves and they were appealing for assistance from well-wishers to turn the teams’ fortunes.
“We are appealing for help from anyone willing for the betterment of our survival. Despite the players’ talent and good performance, the team was not developing due to lack of inadequate resources.
“We need soccer kits, balls and shoes among other things as well as finances to motivate the players since some of them have families to feed,” said Chatora.
He however thanked some of the individuals who assisted the team to keep afloat saying without them they could have sunk who included Shurugwi South MP Wilson Mhuri, Ernest Muchechetere , Joy Tapfumaneyi , Rodwell Mbirimi.
He said it was the team’s desire to produce talented players who go beyond to play for Premier league and abroad.
The team, which is a new comer to Division 2 has a piece of land to construct a soccer pitch behind Matsika Shopping Center.