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Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
INCENTIVES and packages must be availed to corporates that are funding sporting activities as this will attract more companies to invest in sport and turn it into viable business, not a past time activity.
The Zimbabwean sport fraternity is yearning for funding and partnerships to develop and stay afloat, yet there are limited benefits to corporates that are parting away with their resources.
This was said businessman and sport medicine guru, Dr Nick Munyonga, who said incentives such as tax breaks and rebates to companies that fund sport has potential to unlock the sponsorship challenges being faced by local sports teams.
Dr Munyonga who is also the board chairman of Woodlot Timbers, was speaking on the sidelines of the annual Woodlot Cup held in Rusape at the weekend.
The tournament is a platform for talented young stars to exhibit their skills.
He added that there is need for sound administrators from Area Zones up to national levels and office bearers must be people of integrity to gain confidence of corporates.
“As Woodlot Timbers after having held this tournament, we are realising that there is a gap that need to be filled as far as sport development is concerned. There is need to look at the incentives that promote and support football so that they get tax rebates. This allows the business community to join hands with sporting people and help to develop sport in our country.
“On the other hand, does the business community have confidence with the sport leadership? Sometimes this is why we say that the people we are seconding to run sport from Area Zones, provinces, regions and at national level must have connections with the business community so that there is confidence that we give to businesses.
“Patrice Motsepe is at the helm of CAF and you can already see the connection with business. When CAF talks of putting money into football, you will be assured that the UBUNTU or Motsepe Foundations will also add in something because there is a connection between the business and the people that are running football. There is real need to make sure that we strategise and see how we can be able to join hands with businesses.
“There must be a realignment as far as business and sport people are relating and interact for the growth of the sport industry which has very huge potential,” said Munyonga.
Meanwhile, Gondalo emerged the winners, while Woodlot were the losing finalists, and Chiendambuya put up spirited fight to come third.
Teams walked away with generous prize money plus balls.
There were also prizes for player of the tournament, best goalkeeper and top goal scorer.
Online Reporter