dyton mupawaenda
Langton Nyakwenda
AFTER investing over US$200 000 to win the 2023 Central Region Soccer League championship, which carried a paltry US$7 500 prize money, TelOne football club are now counting the costs, as they are yet to get any cent from the league’s sponsor Ruvimbo Funeral Assurances.
The Gweru side have played 23 matches in the Premier Soccer League, which is more expensive than the lower leagues.
TelOne won the Central Region championship in November 2023 and were due to receive US$7 500 on top of a ticket to the PSL.
Sadly, nine months later, Ruvimbo Funeral Assurances, who have a US$25 000 sponsorship deal with the Central Region, are still to avail the funds
The company wrote to the Central Region on December 7, 2023, outlining a payment plan that would have seen the firm clear the US$25 000 by June 2024. They proposed to pay US$10 000 by March 15, another US$7 500 by May 15, and the same figure by June 15
“We are almost getting to the end of our Premiership campaign but we are yet to get our prize money for winning the Central Region Soccer League title,” revealed TelOne president Oscah Nduwure.
“They promised to give us the money in batches but up to now nothing has materialized.
“Imagine, we spent around $200 000 in the Division One league, just to get US$7 500 but we have nothing.
“Ruvimbo Funeral Assurances are getting mileage out of nothing,” thundered Nduwure.
A letter written to ZIFA by the Central Region on April 30, confirmed all was not well in the lower league.
“Please be advised that the region has a three-year sponsorship deal with Ruvimbo Funeral Assurance Private Limited, worth US$25 000 per year.
“The sponsor could not remit the sponsorship fees by the end of the year 2023 as had been contractually agreed, citing cash flow challenges brought by the economic volatility in the country,” the later stated.
TelOne, are now eager to avoid slipping back to the Central Region Soccer League.
The Wi-Fi Boys, who occupy the last relegation slot with 24 points from 23 matches, are also now banking on a return to Ascot Stadium, which has been undergoing renovations.
They believe a shift from Bata to Ascot could transform their fortunes.
“We expect ZIFA’s First Instance Board (FIB) to come anytime this week to inspect Ascot,” said Nduwure.
Online Reporter