adminSources told this publication that the NRZ management on Wednesday addressed the respective teams during their training sessions at Raylton Sports Club notifying them about the decision.
“This is difficult but we have to understand the situation. The management told us that the company was facing cashflow challenges and can no longer afford to fund the clubs. We were told to look for other clubs and they were going to give us clearance letters,” said a source who is a soccer player.
Railstars FC were runners-up to Quelaton in the Zifa Southern Region Division One last season and they were being counted among the 2012 championship favourites.
Njanji, as they were affectionately, known had stars like Master Masiku, Danisa Phiri, Vusumuzi Tshabalala, John Shambarume, Fortune Nyambosi, Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube, Tirivaviri Sithole and Kelvin “Mtshawa” Maseko.
Railstars were relegated from the Premiership at the end of the 2006 season.
Fanuel Masikati, the NRZ public relations manager, said once their company stabilises they would bounce back to sponsor their clubs.
“The National Railways of Zimbabwe has withdrawn sponsorship for all non-core business activities and that includes our sports teams. The decision comes against the backdrop of economic challenges where the organisation has resolved to concentrate on its core business of providing freight and passenger services which are key to the recovery and sustenance of the national economy.
“The clubs have helped fly the NRZ flag over the past years but due to circumstances beyond NRZ’s control, we have now decided to shake off non core business activities,” Masikati said.
The NRZ-sponsored Railstars netball team have been dominating the Super League for the last three seasons and if they fail to find a sponsor it means the Southern
Region will have two clubs in the league and these are Hwange and ZPC Hwange.
Railstars’ men’s volleyball team is in the final of the Zimbabwe Open which will be played in a fortnight. They will meet the winner between Hawks and the Midlands State University.
Masikati said the executive committees of the three teams had been given the green light to source for funding elsewhere.
“As for the soccer franchise, the management committee has engaged Zifa Southern Region regarding this new development as efforts of sourcing alternative external sponsorship are being pursued. The same goes for netball and volleyball.
“The NRZ would like to assure all our supporters, sympathisers and the nation at large that the NRZ supports sporting activities and will endeavour to review its position in future when the economic situation improves,” said Masikati.
Online Reporter