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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
REIGNING Premier Soccer League champions FC Platinum are now an official associate partner of Spanish La Liga club Real Betis after the two sides signed an agreement yesterday.

The partnership comes with a massive and practical exchange programme 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 is pleased to announce a partnership agreement with Real Betis Balompié, making FC Platinum an official associate partner of Real Betis. 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,” FC Platinum spokesperson Chido Chizondo said in a statement.

Speaking from Seville, Spain, FC Platinum president Fabian Mashingaidze said they felt honoured to enter into a partnership with Real Betis.

“We realise that we can’t reinvent the wheel; it is better to learn from those who have done it before and we think the model that Real Betis is showing is something that we can copy, replicate and adapt it to our situation,” said Mashingaidze.

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

Mashingaidze said it was about time the Zimbabwean football landscape built brand equity to change the misconception that football is purely entertainment.

“Trophies are good, yes, but we need to now speak off the pitch and start speaking of the actual business of football. Partnerships of this nature are the blueprint for the future of football in Zimbabwe (that) 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,” said Mashingaidze.

Real Betis general business director Ramon Alarcon said his club shared a number of things with the Zimbabwe champions, which include the industrial aspect like football as well as team colours, which are green and white.

“But what is more important is that we share the vision. Both of us believe that our industry is not only the sport area, it is important that our industry is a business and there are many different areas that we can develop such as digital transformation and fan engagement. We have to do that every single day of the year and this is what FC Platinum is willing to do with us. They have asked us to help them, walk together and explain how to develop all these important dynamics,” said Alarcon.