Chronicle Editor
Raymond Jaravaza
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ONE magazine article described him as a shining beacon of community service whose partnership with the police must be emulated by other businesspeople in Bulawayo and the country at large.
Police magazine Outpost had every reason to gush over Peter Leondios, for the man had tirelessly supported the Zimbabwe Republic Police for years.
At the time the article was published in early 1995, Leondios through his sportswear company — Townshend and Butcher — had been sponsoring police sports tournaments for over 10 years.
Fast track to 2023, Leondios, a well-liked Greek expatriate whose sportswear company has been a constant feature in the City of King’s retail landscape is not showing any signs of throwing in the towel.
This year marks about 37 years of sponsoring the Bulawayo Province police sports tournaments that are held annually in different parts of the city.
Sports tournaments are an integral part of the police force’s annual calendar as actively taking part in sports encourages members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police to stay fit and healthy in order to meet the physical demands of their jobs.
Every year football, volleyball, netball and other sports codes teams meet to compete against one another in what is known as the Commissioner-General Sports Gala.
Bulawayo Province meets teams from the rest of the country to battle for honours in various sports codes, an undertaking that requires financial resources.
And this where Leondios has been chipping in to assist athletes from the local police force.
“We started the partnership after Independence around 1986, if I’m not mistaken, and it’s been ongoing till today,” Leondios told Saturday Chronicle Sport.
The ups and downs of the economic situation coupled with one of the worst most recent health pandemics, Covid-19, have failed to dampen the spirit of goodwill between sponsors and recipients — the police.
“There were the odd years when we failed to sponsor the annual police sports tournaments like during the Covid-19 pandemic but we have always come back stronger to assist them.
“Every society needs a functional police force so it’s our own small contribution to the men and women who keep us safe.
“We are hopeful the partnership will continue for many more years to come,” he said.
Townshend and Butcher is a 65-year-old business.
Previously housed on Jason Moyo Street between Leopold Takawira and 8th avenues when the sports shop first opened its doors in 1957, Townshend and Butcher has since moved to Robert Mugabe Way.
“We looked at the cost benefit of moving to Robert Mugabe Way between 10th and 11th Avenues and realised that it made business sense to move. Yes, we have moved from what has been our home since the business was opened in 1957, but this is just a reflection of the times and the need for business to evolve to stay up,” said Leondios.
The business was established by Wally Townsend, a former city councillor, in 1957 and was later sold to Leondios in 1986.
Leondios owns several other businesses in town which include Mr Chips, Royal Sunflower, Fotron and Beitbridge Casino as well as another casino in the city.
He has previously employed several soccer players.
“Our relationship with the Bulawayo Amateur Football Association (Bafa) back dates to the time when I bought the business and the previous owner asked me to continue supporting Bafa.
“Some players who went on to play for big teams like Highlanders and Zimbabwe Saints played in the Bafa league and we are happy to have contributed to the development of Bafa all these years,” he added.
Some notable names that played in the Bafa league and went on to play for the big clubs are Agent Sawu, Ephraim Chawanda, Henry Bully McKop, Gibson Homela, Misheck Sibanda, Godfrey Paradza, Stephen Kwashi, Max Tshuma, Joseph Machingura just to name a few.
Leondios will be holding a Memorial Trophy in memory of his son Constantinos “Dino” Leondios who passed away in South Africa earlier this year.
“I will liaise with the leadership of the Zifa Area Zones to have the Memorial Trophy played in just one day, outside of the normal season so the dates and venue will be advised in due course,” he added.
Bulawayo Police spokesman Inspector Abdenico Ncube said the ZRP appreciates the assistance of local businesspeople who support the police to run some of their programmes like sports events.
Online Reporter