Nokel extends flirtation with football

Dumisani Nsingo
NOKEL Security Company has pledged to continue with its Zifa Southern Region Division One League sponsorship package next season.

The security firmaï¿½ï¿½s proprietor Kenneth Mhlophe said he was committed to sponsor the countryaï¿½ï¿½s second tier league as part of the companyaï¿½ï¿½s social corporate responsibility as well as ensuring the development of the game in the region and the country as a whole.

aï¿½?We will be extending sponsorship to the Southern Region Division One League next year. We are however, concerned about how soccer is administered in the country.

aï¿½?The high degree of maladministration we are witnessing tends to chase away potential sponsors because there is no organisation that wants its name to be tarnished,aï¿½? said Mhlophe.

Nokel has been sponsoring the leagueaï¿½ï¿½s monthly Top Goal Scorer award since the 2014 season with the inaugural gong being scooped by Bulawayo Chiefsaï¿½ï¿½ Ishmael Wadi who was in the books of Premiership side FC Platinum in the just ended season.

The top goal scorer of the month was sponsored to the tune of $150.

Tashinga Mungadzi of Black Boots scooped this seasonaï¿½ï¿½s award after netting 15 goals but fell short to get an extra $200 that was dangled by the sponsor for the player that managed to hit the 22 goal mark. The goals were however, five better than the 10 scored by 2015 top marksmen Bekithemba Nyoni and Lenience Mpofu.

aï¿½?I cannot disclose next seasonaï¿½ï¿½s package but our wish is to better it thus we will discuss the matter with Zifaaï¿½ï¿½s regional officials prior to the start of the season,aï¿½? said Mhlophe.

Nokel Security Company has been involved in sponsoring soccer in the region over the years.

This year the company contributed funding towards Bulawayo giants, Highlandersaï¿½ï¿½ developmental side which also plies its trade in the Division One League and it also sponsored women soccer. . .