CAPS United Legends’ UK function grows bigger
ORGANISERS of the annual CAPS United Legends UK Soccer Night Dinner and Dance are seeking to raise funds for over 15 grassroots football clubs in Zimbabwe this year.
The fourth edition of the charity event, whose aim is to mobilise resources for grassroots football development in Zimbabwe, will be held on December 14 at Brookfields Farm Club House in Wolverhampton, England.
The initiative is the brainchild of former CAPS United skipper Joe “Kode” Mugabe and the 51-year-old former Green Machine kingpin serves as the organisation’s chairperson.
Other members of the executive include Frank “Dealer” Nyamukuta, Artwell Mabhiza, Timothy Chirozvani, Cannisius Tongesai, Tichaona Nyenda, Leonard Chirozvani, Sam Huwa and Charles Chikeya.
CAPS United Legends UK treasurer, Timothy Chirozvani, expressed gratitude with the growing support from the Zimbabwean community in the UK, but appealed for more corporate sponsors.
“The event, which is self-funding, is growing from strength to strength each year,” he said.
“We have run this function from our own pockets and we are appealing for sponsorship partners. From last year’s event, we manage to source football equipment that included 200 bibs, 200 soccer balls, 300 cones and a set of hurdles.”
Timothy revealed that he will be travelling to Zimbabwe next month to officially handover the football equipment which was sourced from last year’s event to nine football development clubs.
The beneficiaries list includes the Dynamos Under-18 team, Alois Bunjira’s Albun Academy, Stanley Chirambadare’s Revival Academy, Thomas Banda’s MC 15 Academy, Jimmy Malomo’s La Sakubva in Mutare, Friendly Academy, Howard Primary School, Peter Nkomo’s Goalkeepers Academy in Bulawayo and Beitbridge’s Dulibadzimu Primary School.
Dynamos Under-18 were included by virtue of being last year’s Under-18 champions in the Harare Junior League.
“I will be in Zimbabwe on November 9 to hand over the equipment,” said Timothy.
“This is just a token to appreciate the efforts being made by people on the ground to support the development of junior football in Zimbabwe.
“We all know how important this area is in sport development. This year we hope to raise enough money to support 15 teams across Zimbabwe. Resources permitting, we will support other sporting disciplines as well.
“This year we managed to donate training equipment to the Zimbabwe Gems during the Netball World Cup. We are in contact with the leaders of netball in Zimbabwe and they want us to start a netball academy back home.”
Timothy appealed for corporate sponsors to chip in and help the cause.
“This project has been self-funding since its inception,” he said.
“We have been making contributions among ourselves. We are grateful of the support that we have received from partners that include Team Zimbabwe, Linkpin and Leorose, who have given us logistical support.
“We get most of our money from ticket sales and individual contributions and that is not enough as we have to buy food and pay for the venue as well,” Timothy said.
The CAPS United legends have roped in Tompson Chauke-fronted Limpopo Groves Band, Shayne Rasko and DJ Niv to entertain guests at this year’s event.
Limpopo Grooves’ backing vocalist Maria Glenister and James Smith (bass) promised the audience a night to remember. “We are prepared for the event and it is going to be a night of fun and dance,” said Glenister. “We will also be introducing some new stuff as well.”
Smith said: “We have taken the traditional aspect of Zimbabwean music. This is not our first time to play in front of a Zimbabwean audience.”