Zimunya expects PSL to breath again

Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter

SAKUNDA Holdings’ massive investment into the domestic Premiership, where they are bankrolling Dynamos and Highlanders, should provide a huge stimulus, to the cor­porate world, to consider going into bed with the national game, in a very big way.

The US$5.3 million, three-year sponsor­ship deal, is expected to level the playing field, in the top-flight league, which has been dominated by clubs with considera­ble financial backing, from their corporate partners.

The financial imbalance had pushed tra­ditional giants, DeMbare Bosso and CAPS United, into a shade, while a host of other smaller clubs, were wiped out of existence.

The coming in of Sakunda Holdings, to sponsor two of the biggest clubs in the country, has been hailed by many stake­holders, in the game.

As the flagship sponsors, for both DeM­bare and Bosso, Sakunda Holdings will foot the salaries, and related perks, for the players and coaching staff.

The deal also includes a US$200 000 bonus, should either giant win the domestic Premiership.

A further US$150 000 will be poured into their coffers, should they decide to compete, in the CAF Champions League.

Another package, as an incentive for either side to try and win the Chibuku Super Cup, is also set to be unveiled.

Their coaches and captains were also been handed brand new vehicles.

The figures involved, in this massive deal, could also provide a wake-up call to the flagship sponsors of the league, Delta Beverages.

The beverage manufacturing giants have supported the top-flight league over the years. Their sponsorship has stood at just over US$1m per season.

The total sponsorship package has been split as US$700 000 for the Castle Premier Soccer League, US$375,000 for the Chibuku Super Cup and US$55 000 for the Castle Challenge Cup.

While this has sustained competition, over the years, there have been concerns from some clubs, including a number who literally walked away empty-handed, after some of the prize money, was swallowed by fines.

A number of clubs are struggling, to sur­vive under the harsh Covid-19 conditions, as they have had to pay salaries, rentals and other bills, for their players and coaches, while football was in lockdown.

ZIFA board member, Francis Zimunya, said there was need for more sponsors to come on board, and make Zimbabwean football more stable, and competitive.

“The Zimbabwe Football Stakeholders Forum wishes to thank Sakunda Holdings for its sponsorship of local football that they have made, through Dynamos and High­landers Football Clubs,” he said in a letter to Sakunda Holdings boss, Kuda Tagwirei.

“It is our hope that all other clubs will sooner, rather than later, be able to get sound sponsorship from the corporate world, following the Sakunda Holdings footsteps.

“The Sakunda Holdings sponsorship is a welcome development that will have a posi­tive effect on the football brand, resulting in downstream football structures benefiting greatly.

“The programmes, such as the grassroots development programme, visa-a-vis our proposed Vision 2030, will provide a turn-around strategy for Zimbabwe Football.

“It is gratifying to note that Sakunda Holdings have heard the cry by the football stakeholders who, in recent months, have been crying out loud for the recognition of their legends.

“As football stakeholders, we acknowl­edge and thank the chief executive officer of Sakunda Holdings, Mr Kudakwashe Tag­wirei, for listening, and for stepping up to the challenge, by answering our call in a big way.”