Royal Cup in danger of not taking place

THE second edition of the Royal Cup, a proposed football match between Highlanders and Manzini Wanderers of Swaziland at Barbourfields Stadium on 25 February is in danger of not taking place after Bosso officials boycotted the launch function at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds on Friday evening.

Despite being launched by Ntabazinduna chief, Nhanhlayamangwe Ndiweni who is the chairman of the Royal Cup Trust, the football match is in big danger of not going ahead with Highlanders making it clear that as long as there is no financial commitment from the organisers they will not be involved.

Highlanders acting chairman Modern Ngwenya said they asked for those behind the initiative to make available $10 000 which is what the runners-up will get. The first prize for the Royal Cup is understood to be $15 000. The reason behind that being that in case Highlanders win, then they can get an extra $5 000.

Ngwenya made it clear that if their demands are not met and the organisers want to go ahead with the Royal Cup, they might as well look for another team to take part.

“We requested for a commitment from them, if there is no commitment from them and if they still want to go ahead with this tournament, they might as well look for another team. We want commitment first before we play. As Highlanders we respect those who want us to play in their tournaments but we want commitment. We don’t want to start fighting with our players when it comes to appearance fees.

“They cannot go to the Press and talk about Highlanders without us. They said $15 000 for the winner and $10 000 for the loser. We want $10 000 before we can play. We did not attend the launch because we cannot endorse something we can’t participate in, we sat as an executive and made a decision that we need a commitment from them. To us the launch is a non-event,’’ said Ngwenya yesterday.

He accused the Royal Cup Trust chief executive officer, Nkosinathi Ndiweni, of lacking communication skills and corporate governance.

Ndiweni yesterday said all was in place for the Royal Cup to go ahead. On the Highlanders demand, Ndiweni pointed out that they did receive the Bosso concern when they invited them to take part in the tournament and what they were now waiting for was the club to indicate if they are interested in order for negotiations to start. In the event that Highlanders are not interested, Ndiweni indicated that they were willing to engage any of the Premier Soccer League sides to step in but Bosso were the preferred first choice.

“Tentatively yes, the Royal Cup is on, we are still working on the logistics, paperwork to make sure that we don’t contravene the laws and statutes of the land and those of organisations that run sport. Basically we have everything under control in order for us to hold this tournament. We received the Highlanders concern when we sent them an invitation, we are still trying to understand if they are interested. If they confirm their interest, we can sit down and find common ground so that if we don’t agree we move over, no one is forced to agree to this.

“Highlanders is a preferred choice because of where we come from, we wish a big team like Highlanders to be part of the activities. In Zimbabwe, there are 18 PSL teams, we are not confined to any club, we have already spoken to other clubs, we want the tournament to go on and include other teams, we want to start with humble beginnings,’’ said Ndiweni.

Last Friday, the organisers had lined up a number of Government officials including ministers to deliver speeches but all of them did not turn up. Those who had been lined up included Minister of Sport and Recreation, Makhosini Hlongwane, his Rural Development, Preservation of Culture and Heritage counterpart Abednico Ncube. Also lined up to speak was Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, the president of the Chiefs Council, Fortune Charumbira, Bulawayo Mayor Martin Moyo and one of King Mswati III’s wives, Inkhosikati LaMbikiza. It meant that there was lots of traditional food to feast for the guests who attended the launch.

The first edition of the Royal Cup saw Highlanders play against Botswana Premier League side Gilport Lions at Barbourfields Stadium last year. The match, won 2-0 by Highlanders was used to celebrate Bosso’s 90 years of existence.