THE name Ignatius Pamire draws both disdain and affection in the hearts of Dynamos supporters. BY ALBERT MARUFU
Some view the 56-year-old businessman with distrust while others regard him as their beloved son who has the club he once bankrolled at heart.
Those who love him remember him as chairman of a fundraising committee set up to help the team’s 1998 CAF Champions League campaign and not surprisingly, the team reached the final of the tournament where they unfortunately lost to ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast.
His detractors point to his quitting the chairmanship of the club in 2009 at the height of the club’s financial problems as bordering on treason and ask themselves why he has decided to bounce back to the club.
Known as “Boss” by his close associates, Pamire now heads a marketing committee tasked to “sell the Dynamos brand to the world”.
The other members of the team that will spearhead preparations for the club’s 50th Anniversary as well as develop the club’s long-term marketing plans are Lloyd Hunda, a Civil Aviation Sales consultant, Spencer Manguwa (Econet product development manager) and New Car Sales manager Enock Jokomo.
“A lot of things were happening that led to my resignation. I was facing a lot of challenges at the club and workplace to the extent of feeling I was no longer in a position to lead the team. Remember that time, the club did not have corporate sponsors as we had to bail it out as individuals,” said Pamire.
“We were like Zifa appointees that time and everyone, from former players to the Sports and Recreation Commission, wanted to control the club; that is why I decided to quit.”
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Pamire said the decision to bounce back into football administration was not influenced by ill motive, but the desire to see Dynamos become a world-class brand.
“Dynamos should be among the best clubs on the continent such as South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. We have also contracted a marketing firm, Achievers Marketing, which we expect to unveil its Dynamos Jubilee Celebration programme soon.”
Pamire said they are going to generate revenue that would help them come up with a junior academy as well as setting up a Dynamos Family Trust Fund that would help current and former players in times of need.
“More often than not, we have seen Dynamos buying players at the start of each new season. This should be a thing of the past as we want to have our own academy. We also have a number of our former players struggling to make a living and it is through these funds that we will help them,” he said.
He said they had teamed up with non-governmental organisation Pan African Development Foundation (PADF) which he also heads to organise two musical concerts to raise funds.
“We have teamed up with PADF to organise Dynamos Charity Concerts for the establishment of a Dynamos Family Trust.
“We have lined up two shows to be held at the end of March and invited Kofi Olomide and the Soul Brothers. The first show which will target the corporate group will be held on a Friday while the other one which is for the general public will be held the following day at the National Sports Stadium.”
“The fund is going to take care of the families of founder members, current and former players in times of need. We do not want a situation where our sons will end up destitute. We also believe that soccer is big business the world over, so we have to set up an academy that will help the club,” he said.
“We are also hoping that we will be able to develop the team’s regalia which we will sell at the stadia.
The former Dynamos chairman also defended the team’s use of bouncers, popularly known as “mamonya”, who have at times been in the news for the wrong reasons.
“The question of security is of paramount importance for a club like Dynamos. A lot of people want to enter the stadium for free, but the club depends on gate takings. It is because of this that the club has to use these bouncers. I do not think it is true that they are being paid more than the players. I do not know as of now, but not during the time that I was the chairman,” he said.
On allegations that he is usurping the board led by Keni Mubaiwa of its powers, Pamire said they were working as a family.
“I do not have any intentions of being the club’s chairman again because I have had my time. Our task is raising funds and selling the Dynamos brand,” he said.
