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Tinashe Manzungu

Lovemore Zigara in Gweru
THE Zifa Central Soccer League (CSL) will for the first time be branded next season after Gweru-based health insurance provider Zimbabwe General Medical Aid fund committed a sponsorship package of $45 000 for the 2018 season.

Speaking at the CSL’s 2017 awards presentation held in Shurugwi on Saturday, TM Group chairman Tinashe Manzungu said his company is excited to partner the central regional league.

“We realised that some of the people who constantly require medical cover are sports people and have hence decided to partner with the CSL. We are unveiling a $45 000 sponsorship package to the region for next season and we will review our relationship with the league thereafter,” said Manzungu.

CSL chairman Stanley Chapeta expressed gratitude to the TM Group’s gesture through the Zimbabwe Medical Aid Group brand and said they want the relationship to unlock the value of the league and the medical aid company’s brand.

“I am happy that we have managed to secure sponsorship for our clubs and we are grateful to the TM Group for having faith in us. I am confident that this is going to be a mutually beneficial relationship to both parties.

“Now that there is now everything to play for next season, we can only hope for the competition in the league to be bigger and better. It is my hope that it is the beginning of greater things to come,” Chapeta said.

The sponsorship comes more than a year after Chapeta assumed the CSL reins. He was elected after riding on the back of sponsorship promises for the region.

The only time the region managed to secure sponsorship of any sort was in 2010 when Gweru-based electrical company Kayzed Sales injected $20 000 to sponsor the league’s end of year awards.

An initial three-year technical sponsorship with a South Africa-based sports management company Impact Capital Alliance Sports Africa (ICA) fell through after the latter failed to meet its side of the bargain. — @lavuzigara1