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WHILE many sporting entities in Bulawayo are wallowing in a state of neglect due to lack of corporate backing, the Bulawayo Athletics Board have every reason to be proud with either their traditional sponsors or new partners re-affirming their support in both cash and kind. This was evident at the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe Inter-provincial Championships staged at White City Stadium earlier this month.
Old Mutual, Delta Beverages under its Coca-Cola brand, Turnall and new partners Inturn Trading and Sports Zone were conspicuous in their presence through fliers and advertising materials around the track and field at the venue, the home of athletics in the country.
The corporates chipped in the form of medals, trophies, bottled water and refreshments.
“We are really indebted to our sponsors who have not only assisted in transport expenses as well as bankrolling our events in the past, but have also helped us in advertising material, refreshments and water for all participants at the inter-provincials,’’ said an ecstatic BAB chairman Manuel Mpofu. “The sponsors have helped us a lot in our endeavour to develop our athletes. We say a big thank you to them for walking with us especially in this harsh economic climate. We thank them for their unwavering support,’’ added Mpofu.
As if to prove what sponsorship could do to fuel competitiveness, Bulawayo Province went on to win the inter-provincial championships, scooping eight gold medals, 12 silver and eight bronze. Bulawayo got the same gold medals as runners-up Harare but were on top due to winning more silver medals.
derick.khumalo