PARLY PUSHES FOR SPONSORS TO GET TAX RELIEF

Sports Reporter 

THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sports and Recreation is set to present a motion to push for policies that will allow corporates and individual businesses that support the local sports and recreation industry to be considered for massive tax rebates. 

Chairman of the committee, Chamu Chiwanza, said the move came about after the realisation that the sports and recreation industry was suffocating due to lack of funding.

He said there is need to line up incentives to encourage investment through sponsorships, provision of equipment and facilities.

“There is a motion already which is going to be presented in the House by Honourable (Innocent) Benza, probably next week for corporates to get tax rebates. 

“This motion is coming from this committee to the August House. 

“It’s already a motion which I know is going to pass through the House and it’s going to be massive tax rebates because we want those who have come forth to support sport, for example Castle Lager who support PSL, we want as parliament for them to be recognised,” said Chiwanza. 

The move is in response to the plea by the Sports and Recreation Commission, who believe tax rebates will go a long way in aiding development of sport in the country. 

This comes as various sports codes have been finding it difficult to convince corporates for sponsorship in the challenging global economic climate.

Zimbabwe Cricket managing director, Givemore Makoni, revealed they have penned deals with international companies like Ihsan Sports of Pakistan, who sponsor regalia for all national teams, and Omtex of India, who also sponsor kits for groundsmen.

They are finding it expensive to clear the paraphernalia once it is shipped into the country. 

“Cricket is an expensive sport, a lot of the equipment is manufactured outside the country and sometimes it takes a bit of time to be cleared. 

“In terms of the amounts that we pay to bring in the equipment, they are a quite substantial. 

“We have got sponsors from outside. They sponsor our kits and sometimes to clear those kits it’s a huge challenge. The figures sometimes are quite substantial.”