Online Reporter
Moffat Mungazi
Sports Reporter
WHEN Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Eastern Region shook hands with cigarette manufacturer, Pacific – through their Storm brand – the sponsorship deal marked the beginning of an exciting journey for the association’s flagship Division One league.
Not only has the second-tier division been branded as a result of the pact, but also came with a Game of the Month spectacle, a fan-favourite exhibition.
The fête has generated a fair share of excitement among the game’s followers, especially as it comes on a rotational basis, featuring potentially thrilling clashes.
ZIFA Eastern Region chairman, Wisdom Simba, described it as a milestone for the league.
“The league, through the sponsor, is hosting Game of the Month. The whole idea is to add excitement and make the game more interesting and memorable,” he said.
“For good measure, these matches at match venues where the sponsor emblazoned their product branded material, have been received with keen enthusiasm by the fans and local communities. The most recent stop was Vengere in Rusape where Buffaloes edged FC Wangu Mazodze 1-0 last Saturday. We are glad to say all these featured matches have attracted full houses across the different communities,” he said, adding that Pacific Storm covers all the expenses for the teams involved in the Game of the Month, who both also receive a playing kit.
Simba also revealed that the league is working on partnering leading broadcaster, Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) to have all the Game of the Month matches beamed live for a wider audience reach.
Plans are also in the pipeline, added Simba, to stage a Game of the Season at a chosen venue; potentially the title decider.
Pacific Storm marketing manager, Kudakwashe Chiutsi, said their objective place their product branding at match venues and staging games of the month, is to take football to the grassroots.
“As the Eastern Region Division One principal sponsor, we are committed to bringing life to the grassroots of football through such initiatives and activities.
“We are geared to support local communities with projects that speak to what they hold dearly to their hearts and so far we have been to Masvingo, Marondera, Mutare and Rusape,” said Chiutsi.
She added that they will continue rolling other initiatives designed to improve the development and appeal of football.
Local football fanatic, Edward Nyamukapa, said the Game of the Month provides the right tonic for the Pacific Storm Eastern Region Division One League.
“This is an exciting side to our beautiful game. I have been privileged to watch two of the matches – the one in June at Sakubva where Tenax came from behind to beat St
Paul’s Musami 3-1, and the other at Vengere last Saturday when Buffaloes
prevailed 1-0 over FC Wangu Mazodze. The atmosphere at these games of the month is also creating a vibe good for the league’s profile. As fans, we are looking forward to enjoy more of these for the remainder of the season,” said Nyamukapa.
