Sundaymail Editor
Deputy Sports Editor
THE Zimbabwe Rugby Union are leaving no stone unturned in their drive to give the senior national team, the Sables, the best possible support in their quest to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
In yet another show of confidence in the union from the corporate world, they welcomed their latest partner — Kuva Local — to
the growing list of sponsors of the game.
The Zimbabwean e-commerce startup is expected to provide an online platform for the purchase of Sables’ kit, and regalia, for those in the country and outside.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, ZRU president Aaron Jani called this partnership a historic event, which is likely to have a trickle-down effect on the sport as a whole in the country.
“Today is a very historic day, in many aspects,” said Jani.
“We are witnessing the union of two parties that are very motivated, two parties that are very goal oriented and have set their sights very high.
“As Zimbabwe Rugby Union, we are excited about this development, because this partnership brings in many firsts for both the union and the sport.
“This is the first time we have entered into a partnership with a company that has its footprint both in the region and internationally.
“We also have a situation where this scenario creates a very unique platform, which cuts across the whole sector of our economy.
“It provides an opportunity for a gardener and a CEO to contribute to the Sables, all on the same platform.
“It then debunks this whole myth that rugby is an elitist sport,” Jani said.
The ZRU boss revealed that this particular partnership is not confined to the Sables team only, as plans are currently underway to use the application as and when the Super Six rugby league returns.
Tickets, and the many replica kits of the various local franchises, will also be available for sale.
The application will be used as an income-generating source, with people from all parts of the world able to make goodwill donations towards the Sables Trust and the union.
These sentiments were echoed by Kuva Local founder and chief executive officer, James Saruchera.
“The Squad that Brendan Dawson and his technical team have assembled, under the auspices of the Sables, and the Zimbabwe Rugby Union, is in our opinion one of the best teams that have been assembled in decades.
“It is also one of the most professional.
“And, it is actually these factors that motivated us to look at how we can not only support the team, but also look at how we can uplift rugby as a whole in the country.
“To do this, we saw that there are some capabilities that we have that can help to engage not only people in Zimbabwe but those around the world.
“What this application enables us to do is mobilise support for the team from all over the world, and give them ways in which they can play their part,” Saruchera said.
Online Reporter