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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Netball Association president Leticia Chipandu has urged the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Recreation and Arts to rewardthe Gems equally as the football teams when they represent the country.
The Gems have qualified for next year’s Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.
And yesterday speaking at the launch of “The road to Cape Town” at Cresta Oasis, Chipandu appealed to the corporate world to partner with the winning team.
She also asked for the parent Ministry to treat the women’s team, in the same manner, the male teams are supported when they participate in events like the Africa Cup of Nations.
“All we ask is for financial support so that these girls can be paid just like we pay men in football.
“We ask for equal pay from Ministry, after all, we perform better. After all, we are going to the World Cup for the second time with the senior team and the third time with the junior team.
“It will only motivate other women to take up the sport seriously if we get recognition just like our men who don’t perform as well as we do.
“We appeal to you to support us on the journey, to support the girls, mothers and wives as well, they deserve better and deserve to be treated like celebrities. Our vision is for netball players to own houses, and cars and take care of their families. You know women we provide for our families we don’t waste time doing things that don’t provide for our families,” said Chipandu.
The veteran sports administrator, who is also the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee vice-president, believes the Gems’ 2019 Liverpool legacy should naturally attract the sponsors to want to be associated with the Gems brand.
The national team finished a commendable eighth in England and charmed most people with their exciting and refreshing play.
Chipandu said the players have set a top-four finish for the World Cup that would be hosted in the neighbouring country from July to August next year.
A number of sponsors are coming on board to partner with the team.
At yesterday’s function sponsors such as Spar Zimbabwe, Plan International, National Foods, Ree Sports and Cresta Hotels were present and pledged their support.
The Gems also appreciated some of the sponsors who walked the Liverpool journey with them and are likely to partner the shining brand. These are Econet Wireless, who were the 2019 principal sponsor, who also graced the occasion, Tel One, Nyaradzo Group, Agribank, National Foods, Minerva Risk Advisors and Simbisa Brands.
Nedbank Zimbabwe and Pillarstone were also in attendance yesterday.
Spar Zimbabwe Responsible Retailing coordinator, Shamiso Pfumayaramba, said they are glad to have built a timeously relationship with the senior national team early this year and pledged more support for the team’s success.
“As Spar Zimbabwe’s key pillars of success, we mainly focus on women, children, protecting the environment, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle and prevention of cruelty to animals. It is therefore not surprising that the Spar Gems fit right into our corporate strategy,” said Pfumayaramba.
Spar Zimbabwe said they will continue to offer their support on a monthly basis and a week ago donated groceries for the team in camp.
Cresta Oasis, who hosted the team, said they are also happy to sustain the relationship that began when they hosted the team when it returned from the World Cup.
Cresta Hotels Group Sales and Business Manager, Tersh Mahiya Makamanzi, said Cresta Hotels are women led with the Managing Director a woman and they support women and will try to assist the team to the best of their abilities.
Ree Sports said they have poured resources into the Diamond Challenge Cup and will continue to do more behind the scenes. The team is currently in camp preparing for the Diamond Challenge Cup that will be played in South Africa next month.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter