FUZ STRIKE DEAL

Lovemore Dube

Zimpapers Sports Hub

THE Footballers Union of Zimbabwe have clinched a sponsorship deal for their members which will see outstanding members for both the men and women’s game pocketing R5 000 every month from Pocket Group of Companies.

Edwin Anderson, the Pocket Group chief executive, announced on Friday at the FUZ awards held in Harare that they would be sponsoring the Desmond Maringwa-led organisation this year.

The deal will also benefit former footballers.

FUZ were founded in 2003 to champion the rights and welfare of former footballers in the country and is headed by former Dynamos star Maringwa.

Wonder Sithole is the secretary-general.

“We are going to sponsor several ends of the lives of players who are members of FUZ.

“As long as they are members of FUZ we will through T and R Life give them funeral coverage, give a stipend when they retire and even assist with groceries where possible like we did with George Shaya in his last days.

“We want to pay a stipend that will be sufficient to get most basics for a family as long as the player or former player is a member of FUZ.

“In every instance, the greenlight shall come from the union,” said Anderson.

He added that their Pocket Mobile money platform, which has a banking service and in-store facility, will be used to help the former players.

Anderson disclosed that he had managed to agree to a deal to sponsor the FUZ Player of the Month award for R5000 per month for men and a similar figure for women.

“The technical aspects of the selection, we have left that to FUZ, we are happy with the way they are conducting their business.

“So every month we are committing R10 000 split into two for the most outstanding men and women in their various leagues,” said Anderson.

He said they would also be around at the end of the year to finance the annual awards.

Maringwa said he was happy that Anderson had come through to support their endeavours.

“We are happy that we are attracting corporate bodies and want to give them value for money through good governance.  We are looking forward to working with Anderson and his T and R Life,” said Maringwa.