Sponsors urged to help lower leagues

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA Bulawayo Province chairman Horace Ndubiwa has called for a paradigm shift from the corporate world in their sponsorship of football so as to include lower leagues. Ndubiwa said the tradition and position at the moment seemed to favour bigger and well established leagues like the Premier Soccer League and sometimes Division One at the expense of Division Two, Three and junior leagues in the country.
“I think it now warrants that the corporate world also shifts its focus to our leagues too.

“The corporate world should not look at the finished product only but should be there at the inception, which in this case is the lower leagues,” said Ndubiwa. He said by investing in lower leagues, companies would help to even come up with a far better product than what is happening at the moment as most teams were struggling in terms of resources that would then ensure they produce a finer product.

“I appreciate that industry has not been doing well especially here in Bulawayo but I am quite sure that whatever little they can pour into our league, the clubs would greatly appreciate. The fact that we have had teams that were promoted from our league holding their own in Division One confirms that it’s indeed a competitive league with quality football which justifies why the corporate world ought to tap into this market,” said Ndubiwa.

Southern Region Division One sides Tsholotsho and Ajax Hotspurs are holding fort with the Lizwe Sweswe coached Tsholotsho even championship contenders as they lie third on the standings.

On the general state of the league with just one round of matches before the first half of the season ends, the chairman expressed satisfaction with the way things have been running as there has been few hiccups.

He said all the teams are fulfilling their games and adhering to expected conduct. “The only hiccup we encountered was the issue of licences as some clubs had difficulties in paying hence we had to reach common ground that they pay the old $10 per player in registration fees. We will however review the figure for the second half of the season,” said Ndubiwa.