PROPHETIC Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder and Yadah FC owner Walter Magaya has invested millions of dollars in the development of local football and other sporting disciplines in the country, a document released by the clergyman shows.
The document, titled 101 things Walter Magaya has done for sports in Zimbabwe and the region (Africa's southern region), shows that Magaya could have sacrificed huge amounts of his money and his personal resources to give a lifeblood to local sport, as well as help saving the nation’s face on numerous occasions when he stepped in to pay striking national team players and providing them accommodation at his Yadah Hotel in Waterfalls, Harare.
The document shows that over the years, Magaya has become a saviour for Zifa, spending over US$462 000 on player allowances and accommodation while also paying allowances for the national rugby team, the Sables, in 2015.
“In April 12, 2015, Prophet Magaya stepped in to assist Zifa by servicing the US$67 000 debt owed to former Warriors coach, Brazilian-born Valinhos, thus avoiding a Fifa ban. On the same day, Prophet Magaya spent tens of thousands of dollars to service the debt owed by Zifa in hotel bills,” the document read.
“He also provided a last-minute rescue package for the Warriors by paying the players and technical staff their allowances and match fees, ensuring that the senior national team could fulfil their 2017 Afcon Cup tie against Malawi.
“On September 7, 2015, he provided US$50 000 to ensure the Warriors played in their Nations Cup Qualifier against Guinea after the team had gone on strike over unpaid allowances.”
The document revealed that Magaya spent US$600 000 to establish his football club Yadah Gunners project in 2013, a team that has become a mainstay in the premier league since its promotion in 2016.
It has gone on to produce some of the best talents to grace the domestic scene and even play for the men’s national team
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Prior to that, Magaya played a key role as an administrator in Gunners Football Club’s historic premier league title success in 2009.
Chando Kupisa, as Gunners were affectionately known, would go on to make a mark in the Caf Champions League the following year.
He listed the construction of the Heart Stadium as his biggest achievement so far.
Magaya did not reveal the money he has spent in the construction of the first phase of the facility, but it could run into millions.
Reports suggest that Magaya sold off some of his prime assets, including houses and cars, to fund its construction.
The stadium, built inside the Yadah Complex, boasts some of the best facilities such as suspended pitch.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa commissioned the stadium in December last year.
“I didn’t know that we have such a nice place here in Waterfalls. Magaya has a great mind and that is very encouraging. That means we have people here in Zimbabwe, who always fulfil our philosophy. Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo,” Mnangagwa said during the stadium opening ceremony.
Several Warriors players based abroad, including Luton Town midfielder Marvellous Nakamba and France-based Tino Kadewere, have toured the stadium and were left impressed.
Magaya, who has also sponsored numerous developmental projects and school tournaments, has constructed a similar stadium in Mozambique, the Heart Stadium 2, which was opened this year, while plans are underway to have Heart Stadium 3 in Malawi.
Women football has also benefited from his benevolence after he poured in US$320 000 sponsorship package towards the women’s league.
The sponsorship, which was unveiled in August by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, marked the first time a significant sponsorship has been given into the women’s game.
Charmed by the gesture, the women football league called on Magaya to stand for the Zifa presidency post when the association’s elections are held in January next year.
The women league becomes the latest in a chorus from a number of stakeholders who wants him to throw his hat into the ring.
Warriors legends Tapuwa Kapini and Willard Katsande, former Warriors coach Baltemar Brito and a number of football fans have all endorsed Magaya as the right man to take local football forward.
“We can say whatever we want about Prophet Magaya, but we can never take away the passion he has for football and his love for the game is there for everyone to see with all the million-dollar investments he has made,” Kapini said.
A number of top footbal administrators are rumoured to be vying for Zifa's top post, including former Premier Soccer League boss Twine Phiri, the association's former vice-president Philemon Machana, United Kingdom-based Marshall Gore and Simba Bhora director Brighton “Panjap” Ushendibaba.
Magaya said he was pondering the Zifa presidency, but would first consult his family and church before making any decision.
