adminCurtworth Masango
THE 2023 Nedbank Challenge Cup was launched yesterday.
The Rugby tournament is set for March 17 and 19. Teams will be drawn from the national league and the Under-20s, who are preparing for the Bathes Trophy, to be held in Kenya.
Nedbank injected US$23 OOO for the Challenge Cup.
It is the second edition of the tournament.
Nedbank executive head of sales and business origination, Heresy Herry, said the Cup Challenge is a platform for talent identification.
“We have learned from last year’s installment that they are youngsters who have come from Mbare and Makokoba and Sakubva in Mutare.
“Because of that platform, they are now able to play internationally.
“I believe they are four of those players that were signed into the French league and you know that’s the Premier League.
“It’s these stories that give us the return that we are looking for because ultimately we just need to transform communities through the initiatives that we do.”
Zimbabwe Rugby Union president, Aaron Jani, said they were grateful to Nedbank for the sponsorship as it gives them a chance to assess players of the upcoming tournaments.
“Basically, our aim is to ensure we get the final game time we need with our national teams and the Under-20s which are going to Kenya for the Bathes Trophy.
“This will go a long way towards trimming our squads so that we get to the final players that will be traveling.”
Jani said transparency is important for unions to attract sponsors.
“We have to make sure that we use the resources as agreed with our sponsors.
“We have to make sure we live up to our end of the bargain in terms of the mileage that is required in the partnership.
“Once you begin to be faithful with those little things you will see the sponsorship will increase.”
Online Reporter