adminNgqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
IT has also been rich pickings for the other 14 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clubs amid reports that they received a share of the TM Pick n Pay Challenge Cup despite not taking part in the once-off duel between Highlanders and Dynamos played at the National Sports Stadium in Harare yesterday.PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele confirmed that the clubs received token payments but was not at liberty to disclose the amount saying they reached a win-win situation as the league was a collective entity where no clubs should receive exceptional treatment.
Sources, however, said the teams got $3 000 each.
Ndebele said when they were negotiating with TM Supermarkets they went in as a collective unit and could not just talk about Dynamos and Highlanders.
“We negotiated as a collective unit and other clubs are happy that they have received a token payment that will enable them to meet some of their bills and help them stay afloat. I think everyone is happy with the outcome because this is a tournament that had not been on the calendar and we could not just fit it in without making some concessions,” he said.
Ndebele said while some sections of the local footballing community may feel the PSL’s attitude might spurn sponsors, the league was of the opinion that cluttering competitions would defeat the whole purpose of attracting sponsors as there would be contests for publicity.
“The whole aim of funding football is to get a slice in the publicity, media and recognition from the fans but if we have too many competitions, tournament advertising would compete and each sponsor would, at the end of the day, not gain maximum publicity for their brands,’’ said Ndebele.
“This is why we decided to have no other games this weekend and even barred all friendly matches after agreeing the TM Cup and the ZNA Charities Shield should be the only matches played this weekend to ensure maximum publicity for the two games.”
The ZNA Charities Shield took place at Mandava Stadium yesterday and pitted Caps United against FC Platinum.
Ndebele said they are happy the PSL brand continues to attract more sponsors and expressed hope that next season they will be able to plan ahead and accommodate all those interested in being part and parcel of the local top flight league.
“It would be helpful if companies show an interest in sponsoring matches before the commencement of the season as it would aid our planning and ensure there is no disruption of the set programme,” he said.
The TM Pick n Pay Challenge Cup saw the winner walking away with $60 000 and the loser pocketing $50 000.
Our sister paper B-Metro reported last week that the rest of the PSL teams had sought $5 000 each from the TM Cup proceeds.
Online Reporter