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At a time when sports in general has witnessed a decline in sponsorship over the years due to the difficult economic environment and administrative frailties of many sports associations, it is quite heartening to note that there are companies that have sponsored sport for 60 years and are still raring to go. This is the stuff heroes are made of. A�
We have seen over the past decade or so many sponsors come and go, with some making negative yearly adjustments to their sponsorships citing a depressed economy.
Through the highs and troughs, it would seem Townshend and Butcher in Bulawayo has withstood all and continued to sponsor Bulawayo amateur soccer. As the company celebrates 60 years of sponsorship to the amateur league, we would like to applaud it for such a gesture and pray that more corporates could emulate them. We are even more inspired by their reason for their continued support.
a�?It also was an idea of keeping the youngsters out of the streets and so when they told me why they did it l decided to carry on because ita��s a very good idea,a�? said Peter Leodios, Townshend and Butcher proprietor.
This is quite a noble cause especially in the present environment when many youths fail to find something productive to do and end up engaging in drug abuse, and later in crime as they try to sustain their drug taking habits by stealing.
We believe Leodios has demonstrated a rare commitment to sport and that many companies that have found it easier to shed off sport commitment when the going gets tough could learn a thing or two from his company. We all know that the country has been through difficult times economically but these never dampened the spirits of this one sponsor whose support to amateur soccer started in 1957.
We believe that many youngsters nurtured through the amateur ranks have gone on to make a name for themselves in local leagues and abroad, showing the impact a single sponsor can make in the lives of people in a community.
If all corporates could be driven by such long term goals of common good for the whole community, we could take our sporting disciplines very far and develop youth that will stay off the streets as they would feel that they are taken care of.
Our call to those that have been reluctant to sponsor, even though they can afford to support sport, arts and many other areas where their passions may lie, is that they should think of future generations and aim to leave a legacy.
Townshend and Butchera��s impact on soccer and sport in general in Bulawayo is undoubted, and their legacy is quite secure in that area.
What is it, dear corporate, that you would want your firm to be remembered for in future? Support a dream, birth a legacy. . .
Online Reporter