Lovemore Dube, [email protected]
A FEW days after the launch of a Siyinqaba Lager, Highlanders on Friday got another nod of approval from the corporate sector when a leading bakery came on board to partner with the club.
Highlanders received football uniforms from Proton for the Royals and Bosso90, a demonstration of the cordial relationship that the club has built over the years with the corporate world.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this important occasion as we celebrate yet another meaningful partnership in the development of football at Highlanders Football Club. Today, we are gathered to express our sincere gratitude to Proton Bakeries for their generous donation of football kits to our developmental side, Bosso 90 and our ladies’ team, Highlanders Royals,” said Kindman Ndlovu, the Highlanders chairman.
Ndlovu was presented the uniforms by Proton national sales and marketing manager Daniel Chipato who expressed his organisation’s excitement for working with Highlanders. He promised that this could just be the beginning of a much longer association.
He said Proton are not new to the game as they have previously sponsored a national Under-20 tournament.
In the 1970s Proton sponsored a team that played lower division football and gave Zimbabwe former national team goalkeeper Raphael Phiri.
Ndlovu reiterated their quest for better football business with emphasis on development.
“As Highlanders Football Club, we recognise that the future of our institution depends not only on the success of our senior men’s team but also on the strength of our development structures and our commitment to creating opportunities for women in football.
“Bosso 90 represents the future of Highlanders. It is through structures such as these that we identify, nurture and develop young talent, preparing the next generation of players who will proudly carry forward the rich history and traditions of this great institution,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu also spoke of the importance of gender equality at the institution.
“Similarly, Highlanders Royals represent our commitment to ensuring that women’s football receives the recognition, support and opportunities it deserves. We believe that our female footballers must be given the platform and resources to compete, develop and achieve their full potential,” he said.
He described Proton’s donation as an investment in dreams, talent and the future of Zimbabwean football.
“Your generosity sends a powerful message to our young players and our ladies: that their efforts matter, their ambitions are recognised, and that the corporate community believes in their potential.
We are particularly encouraged when organisations such as Proton Bakeries step forward to support football development. This is the kind of corporate partnership that makes a lasting difference in our communities.
“Football development cannot be the responsibility of clubs alone. It requires the collective effort of the corporate world, supporters, administrators and the broader community,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu urged the players to rise to it once they don Bosso colours as they represent an institution with a proud history, generations of loyal supporters and a legacy built over many years.
He said the challenge that now awaits is to build a stronger Highlanders for the next 100 years. Our development teams and women’s football programmes are central to that vision,” he said.
