The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
PREMIERSHIP giants Dynamos had something to cheer about amid the gloom caused by the coronavirus after versatile player Godknows Murwira was released from hospital yesterday following a successful knee operation.
The news came in a week the Glamour Boys’ merchandise deal also came into full swing.
Murwira, who injured his knee late last year before the injury worsened during pre-season, went under the knife on Friday and will now need between six to eight weeks to fully recover.
The 26-year-old on-loan Murwira had been ruled out for the first half of the 2020 Premiership season.
However, the beginning of the competition was shelved due to the coronavirus and chances are now high the midfielder will be fit by the time the league kicks off.
ZIFA have set August/September as tentative kick-off dates.
The development comes at a time Dynamos have begun steps to commercialise and widen their revenue streams beyond gate revenue.
Dynamos, just like all the local teams, have had to endure months without any gate-takings as action was halted owing to the pandemic that forced a stop to global sporting action.
But before the Covid-19 outbreak, Dynamos had begun exploring ways to enhance brand visibility through merchandise sales, particularly the club’s replica jerseys and branded shirts.
Dynamos and their sponsors Remington Gold launched the four-year sales relationship agreement in February. The deal is now fully operational.
With Murwira now on the path to recovery, the Harare giants’ camp was in high spirits yesterday.
“We are glad to announce that our player Godknows Murwira has been released from hospital after undergoing a successful knee operation.
“The doctors are saying it will take at least six weeks for him to recover and we are hoping for the best,” Dynamos spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said yesterday.
“The other good news for the Dynamos family is that the sale of our merchandise has kicked off,” added Farawo.
“Dynamos Football Club and their anchor sponsors Remington Gold are glad to announce the operationalisation of their four-year sales relationship agreement, which was concluded in February 2020.
“The two partners agreed that they shall, during the subsistence of the agreement, distribute, through their supporters’ structures, the official club merchandise and or paraphernalia and Remington Gold products in Zimbabwe and beyond the borders.
“The products, which shall be sold to the club’s fans and the general public, shall be distributed through designated distribution agents comprising, but not limited to the following: sports shops, restaurants and food courts, service stations, licensed vendors, departmental/chain stores, wholesalers and club offices,” read part of the statement.
While Dynamos’ official home and away shirts will be on sale when the season gets underway, merchandise like royal blue supporters’ shirts are already on sale at US$10.
“The first batch of official club merchandise comprising royal blue supporters’ shirts shall be sold at your nearest distribution agent designated by the club.
“Each original supporters’ shirt shall be sold for a special price of US$10.
“More merchandise, including the official 2020 season home and away playing shirts, shall be going on sale as soon as the season gets underway,” Farawo said.
Dynamos and fellow traditional giants Highlanders and CAPS United have constantly been urged to lead the way in becoming commercial ventures in line with global football trends.
Without official club replicas and branded shirts, caps, scarves and other merchandise, Dynamos fans have had to find their identity in replicas of international clubs such as Chelsea who wear similar colours.
Farawo, however, believes the Premiership giants can only build from the steps they have taken through their partnership with Remington Gold, which includes their supporters across the country.
