Staff Writer
Mabvuku-Tafara MP Hon Pedzai Scott Sakupwanya is on a path to spearhead development through sport as his newly promoted Premier Soccer League side Scottland FC has already curved a mark in the movers and shakers of the year 2024.
Recently the construction of Mabvuku 1 Stadium started following the official handover of Number 1 Ground by the City of Harare to Sakupwanya’s enterprise.
Sakupwanya, agreed to lease the ground from the local authority for 30 years.
The 15,000-capacity stadium will serve as the home ground for Scottland FC in the upcoming 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
Sakupwanya described the construction of the stadium as a milestone move for the Mabvuku-Tafara community.
“I would refer to the engineers and people doing the construction, but we are going to do things in phases. We are going to take things one step at a time but immediately we are going to begin the construction of a clubhouse and a practice pitch,” said Sakupwanya.
Number 1 Ground holds historic significance, having produced football legends such as Brenna Musiska, Joel Mugabe, and Cephas Chimedza, among others.
Sakupwanya said the project will be a multi-purpose facility housing different sports codes.
“Here is going to be not only a stadium. It will be a facility housing football pitches, other sports codes like cricket, swimming pools, and stores to sell. We are just reviving and revitalising. It is a big project,” he said.
Another major achievement for Sakupwanya was securing a huge cash injection into the club through a USD1 5 million sponsorship deal from Sakunda Holdings.
Sakunda will fuel Scottland’s push for a league title after the company pledged a US$1,5 million shot in the arm as the club prepares for its maiden season in the topflight.
Sakunda will also buy playing kits for the club as well as vehicles to be used by the Captain and Coach.
In addition, Sakunda boss Kuda Tagwirei also promised to aid Scottland’s stadium project in Mabvuku by providing bucket seats.
Scottland president Hon Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya hailed the deal saying it would boost their chances of achieving their targets of conquering on the domestic front as well as in Africa.
He was, however, quick to point out that the topflight excursion will not be an easy one.
“This means a great deal because, as you know, Scottland are not just embarking on success only in the field of play, but we also want success off the field,” Sakupwanya said.
“And when I say that we are looking at the stadium in Mabvuku, we are looking at programmes that help the youths.
“When we get sponsorship like this, everything becomes easy, the acquisition of players becomes easy.
“The calibre of the players and the quality of the coaches that you get will be top, top level.”
Added Sakupwanya: “But next year’s league title comes too soon for us. We have to go in and learn in our first year because we already have big and established clubs in there.
“We have big boys like Highlanders, Dynamos, Caps United, Ngezi Platinum and Simba Bhora who know how to win the title. So we know it will be tough.
“We have to learn, but what I can promise is that we will make the top four. Then in the second season, we will be ready to take the title.”
The club’s players received an early Christmas present after Sakupwanya pledged hefty US$10,000 allowance to each of them toppling log leaders Mwos to earn Premier Soccer League promotion, which they did.
Apart from the US$10k, Sakupwanya promised each player US$200 for each goal scored in the remaining four matches to complete the season.
Furthermore, US$1,500 was promised to each player for a match that finishes with a five-goal and above scoreline in favour of the Sakupwanya-owned side.
As the Zanu PF legislator, Hon Sakupwanya bought three ambulances for the Mabvuku Poly clinic and also dispatched doctors who would be on his payroll to treat patients at the clinic for free.
In addition, Sakupwanya also bought four buses for the Mabvuku-Tafara citizens to travel into Harare CBD for free.
