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Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWEAN football has entered a new phase after champions FC Platinum inked a strategic business and development partnership with Spanish La Liga side, Real Betis Balompie

The Zvishavane side, who have won the last three championships on the domestic front, have now set the pace for traditional giants like Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United, with what is clearly a hard act to follow.

The strategic partnership was put together by local sports agency, Athletes Sphere Management, led by former rugby star, Gerald Sibanda, who has a strong relationship with Real Betis.

“Real Betis Balompié have signed a collaboration agreement with FC Platinum, the main football team in Zimbabwe,’’ the Spanish La Liga club announced, in a statement.

“This partnership will be aimed to common growth by sharing information and methodology. 

“The African club will increase their expertise, in fields such as fan engagement; the use of big data; monetisation in social media; youth teams’ management, digital transformation; or new ways of revenue applied to professional football.

“This agreement comes after the strengthening of Real Betis’ presence in Africa following the creation of Betis Academy Zimbabwe.

“FC Platinum are the most powerful team in Zimbabwe in recent years. They have won the last three editions of the Zimbabwe Premier League (2017, 2018 and 2019) and taken part in the CAF Champions League.’’ 

The Zvishavane club confirmed in a statement they had reached an agreement with their La Liga counterparts.

“FC Platinum is pleased to announce a partnership agreement,with Real Betis Balompié, making FC Platinum an official associate partner of Real Betis,’’ the club said. 

“Established in 1995, FC Platinum have become one of Zimbabwe’s most successful football teams with three consecutive championship titles, four CAF Champions League qualifications and two appearances in the CAF Confederation Cup. 

‘’Betis, is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, in the community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it plays in La Liga. 

“Our areas of collaboration with Real Betis include strategic planning, the business of football, digital transformation, and innovation as well as rationalising football, post-Covid. 

“The associate partnership comes with a massive and practical exchange program that will see both teams visit respective onsite trainings and administration work with the goal of elevating the professional running of football at globally competitive standards.’’

FC Platinum president, Fabian Mashingaidze, said there was now more to football than just what happens on the pitch.

“Trophies are good, yes, but we need to now speak off the pitch and start speaking of the actual business off football,’’ he said, in a statement. 

“Partnerships of this nature are the blueprint for the future of football in Zimbabwe, we need to emulate and improve.

“Admittedly, we have to put in the hours to prove our mettle, on the regional platform, but we have always believed in each and every step we have taken. 

“Our African dream is alive and our future begins now.” 

The FC Platinum boss said this was a watershed moment for his club, in particular, and domestic football, in general.

“We feel very good, we feel very honoured to be here, to enter into partnership with our partner, Real Betis, we realise that we can’t reinvent the wheel, it’s better to learn from those who have done it before us,’’ said Mashingaidze.

“We think the mode that Real Betis is showing is one that we can replicate, and adapt it, to our situation as well.’’

FC Platinum are confident they will increase their expertise in fields such as fan engagement, the use of big data, monetisation in social media, youth teams’ management, digital transformation and new ways of revenue applied to professional football.

“Partnerships of this nature are the blueprint for the future of football in Zimbabwe, we need to emulate and improve,’’ said Mashingaidze. 

The Zvishavane side, who recently marked 10 years in the Premiership, have seen a massive transformation, in their brand, in the few years they have been in the top-flight league.

They have also risen to become one of the leading teams on the pitch and a model of sound management in the game, in this country. They have overshadowed the traditional giants like Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United, who now play second fiddle to FC Platinum, on all fronts.

In the decade they have been in the top-flight league, FC Platinum have managed to renovate their home ground, Mandava, and have been a model of professionalism, for the administration of a club, in the domestic Premiership.

Mashingaidze and his team of administrators are hoping to return home with some priceless lessons 

Real Betis Business General Manager, Ramon Alarcon, said they were happy to enter into partnership with a club who shared their vision.

“I’m very happy to sign this agreement because with this team (FC Platinum) we share different things, we share the industry of football, we share the colour green and white but, also, more importantly, we share the vision,’’ he said.

“Both of us believe the football industry is not only about the sports arena but it’s an industry, a business, it has many different areas which should be developed, like the digital transformation, the fan engagement and then we have to create content, all the days of the year.

“This club has asked us to walk together with us and see how we can develop these areas.’’

Sibanda’s Athletes Sphere Management have been working hard, to change the face, of local sport and their strategic partnership with Real Betis has now started bearing fruit.