Sables need recognition

Two weeks ago the Sables defied the odds to win the Africa Cup in Tunisia after defeating the hosts in the semi-final before overpowering Uganda in the final.
While rugby is not a professional sport in Zimbabwe, the players have over the years dedicated a lot of their time playing for the nation with very little, if any, rewards at all.
With Delta Beverages, through their Lion Lager brand being the prime sponsor, the Sables visited the company’s plant in Southerton.
They were each given a bottle opener.
The players claim that they understand the fact that the Union does not have money, but they feel the administrators are not putting as much effort in their roles to get sponsorship.
Delta this year poured about US$40 000 for the Sables’ international season, but this was just enough to cater for one game.
The Zimbabwe Rugby Union is broke and are usually left with huge debts owed to players for their outstanding bonuses and allowances.
While Zimbabwe rugby has been on the upward trend on the field of play, the same cannot be said on the administrative and managerial aspects of the game.
Since 2009 the Sables have won 12 of their 15 competitive games in both the Africa Cup and Victoria Cup competitions starting by winning the Africa Cup Southern Region tournament in Botswana.
The women’s side — the Pangolins — have gained notable steps in their quest for glory and recently finished third in the Southern Region to qualify for the final round of the World Cup qualifiers set for Tunisia in September.
So where are the sponsors?
All the players are asking for is something that shows the administrators are putting in the same effort and results need to show that they indeed are doing so.