Sibanda opens new global chapter

Zimpapers Sports Hub

ZIMBABWE rugby legend, boxing and football development guru Gerald Sibanda has landed a global business post that could alter the trajectory of his projects and some facets of the country.

The 39-year-old sportpreneur has been appointed the Zimbabwe senator in the World Business Angels Investment Forum with his induction set for December in Istanbul, Turkey.

The World Business Angels Investment Forum’s attention is on developing smart investors, smart finance, smart exits and smart entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs.

They work across borders, with a common vision, and with these smart dynamics in mind, to bring about positive change in the global economy.

In confirming Sibanda’s appointment, the WBAF said: “Zimbabwe is now more connected with global investment markets. “As announced by the World Business Angels Investment Forum, Gerald Sibanda has been appointed as Senator for Zimbabwe. The inclusion of Zimbabwe in WBAF provides a wide range of opportunities for Zimbabwe’s start-ups, scale-ups and high-growth businesses and opens doors for economic development.

“With this new appointment, Zimbabwe has joined the largest forum of the world’s equity investment markets and will now be able to connect more with the global investor market, which will open up splendid opportunities for the country.

“Now local Zimbabwe angel investors, incubation centres, accelerators, private equity funds, co-investment funds, technology parks, corporate ventures and aspiring entrepreneurs will have more opportunity to connect with global leaders in the same field.

”As an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) is committed to collaborating globally to empower the economic development of the world by fostering innovative financial instruments for startups, scaleups, innovators, entrepreneurs and SMEs and to promoting gender equality and women’s participation in all sectors of the world economy.”

This appointment is a huge feather in Sibanda’s cap after the former Sables star brought the country closer to the Spanish La Liga by fostering a partnership that culminated in the establishment of Real Betis Academy Zimbabwe three years ago.