Nestle Zim ups Naph sponsorship

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
LEADING milk and cereals producer Nestle Zimbabwe have upped their National Association of Primary School Heads (Naph) Physical Education and track and field athletics competitions sponsorship by $100,000. This year, according to the company’s corporate communications and public affairs manager Farai Munetsi, the package will be $600,000 up from $500, 000.

The Harare business executive made the announcement last week when he was the guest at the Bulawayo Province Naph track and field competition held at White City Stadium ahead of the national finals set for Trojan Mine Stadium in Bindura on March 25 and 26.

“Our package this year will be $600,000. This shows our belief in the Naph product. We initially wanted to sponsor their Physical Education competitions but after a lot of persuasion we agreed to encompass even the track and field competitions,” said Munetsi who added that Nestle Zimbabwe observed with sobering reality that most people in the world are dying of non communicable diseases such as high blood pressure which can be reduced through involvement in sport.

Meanwhile, Bulawayo Province has roped in the services of technical experts as they prepare for the national Physical Education and track and field competitions set for Bindura.

Njabulo Bango, Naph provincial chairperson for the metropolitan province, said national high jump record holder, Juma Phiri will assist the team in field events, NYA Academy director Nyasha Charandura is taking care of sprints while relays are under Arnold Chaka.

“These guys are assisting us in the high performance training, we would have loved to go with them to Bindura but our statutes don’t allow us to do that,” said Bango.

The 2014 runners-up are targeting first position this year, a huge possibility considering the high level of professionalism exhibited under Bango.

Winners of this year’s Physical Education competition will get $5,000, the same for track and field competition while runners up for either category will get $3,000 with bronze medalists getting $2,000.

“Aim for first in both competitions so that you come back to Bulawayo with $10,000,” Munetsi urged Bulawayo last week.