Kiss of life for DeMbare, Bosso
Zimbabwe’s two biggest football institutions Dynamos and Highlanders received a kiss of life after sealing a combined US$5.3 million sponsorship deal from energy giants Sakunda Holdings last night.
The game changing multi-million-dollar sponsorship deal will see the two clubs bankroll their operations for the next three years.
At a time when most clubs are financially crippled, Sakunda Holdings has come to the rescue of these two giants with each club set to get US$450 000 yearly which will go towards the salaries and allowances, US$60 00 for signing on fees plus US$60 000 for administrative purposes.
There will also be US$200 000 for winning the league title with a promise of a further US$150 000 bonus for the CAF Champions League qualification.
The development is thus anticipated to change the face of Zimbabwean football as Bosso and DeMbare will now be expected to match FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum who have been doing exceptionally well over the past three or so seasons since they have strong financial back up.
DeMbare chairman Isaiah Mupfurutsa pledged his commitment to guard the partnership jealously and ensure the club thrives on the field of play, the same sentiments echoed by his Bosso counterpart Johnfat Sibanda.
“We salute Sakunda for what they did and I promise to ensure they reap the rewards of partnering Dynamos. Football is now big business as it employs thousands hence the need to take it seriously so we shall play our part in ensuring our fans support Sakunda as well so that the marriage stands the test of time,” Mupfurutsa said.
“We are extremely delighted to have partnered Sakunda Holdings. This will ensure we realise our dreams of becoming one of the greatest institutions not just in Zimbabwe but beyond,” said Sibanda.
Sakunda announced the sponsorship package as part of their corporate social responsibility act, in a deal that will start this month until December of 2023 with players from these two clubs becoming the best-paid in Zimbabwe’s Premier Soccer League.
To add some icing on the cake, Sakunda Holding boss Kudakwashe Tagwirei also pledged to buy a house for the late Dynamos legend George Shaya’s family worth $120 000, while prominent coaches Moses Chunga and Madinda Ndlovu would each get a house worth $90 000.
On top of that Tagwirei promised to give each club two vehicles for the coaches and captains.
However, DeMbare and Bosso cannot enter into sponsorship deals with any other entity during the duration of their relationship with Sakunda Holdings.
