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Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
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 are now counting the costs as they are yet to get anything from the league’s sponsor Ruvimbo Funeral Assurances.
All they received was a ticket from the CRSL to proceed to the Premier Soccer League.
The Gweru side have played 23 matches in the Premiership, 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 their promotion ticket.
Sadly, nine months later, Ruvimbo Funeral Assurances, who have a US$25 000 sponsorship deal with the CRSL, have reportedly not yet availed the prize money.
The company wrote to the region on December 7, 2023, outlining a payment plan that would have seen the firm clearing 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,” TelOne club president Oscah Nduwure said.
“They promised to give us the money in batches but nothing has materialised.
“We spent around US$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,” he said.
A letter written to ZIFA by the CRSL on April 30, confirmed all was not well in the Division One 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 letter stated.
TelOne have been battling against an immediate relegation back to the CRSL.
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 help transform their fortunes.
“We expect ZIFA’s First Instance Board (FIB) to come anytime this week to inspect Ascot,” said Nduwure.
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