Invest in Gems that sparkle, corporate world urged

Sports fans want more corporate sponsorship directed towards minor disciplines where athletes are doing better rather the usual mainstream ones.

This comes up as the women’s netball team, the Gems, is on a roll in South Africa where they are playing Netball World Cup (NWC) qualifiers.

Taking to social media Wednesday, Mutare-based teacher Shupi Machakaire commented:

“It is unfortunate that money is channeled towards those sporting disciplines where we have never done well.

“Hope one day soon the corporates will have eyes to see the right places they stand to derive better mileage from, and consider supporting the girl child. Go Gems, go!”

Machakaire’s call was supported by other spot fans. The issue of female athletes being financially sidelined is a global discussion topic. The Gems have received some sponsorship from Spar, but they need more. The team had to travel to SA by road a budget could not stretch to flying.

After a heartrending fall of the national cricket team over the weekend, Zimbabwe’s hopes for glory are pinned on the national netball team, the Gems, who are in South Africa for the.

Two African countries are eligible to advance to the quadrennial World Cup next year, joining Uganda that automatically qualified by its world ranking and South Africa by virtue of being hosts.

It is a fact that Zimbabwe has performed dismally domestically, particularly in the most popular sport (football) and over the past couple of editions, could not land a qualification beyond the African Cup of Nations group stages.

Tennis, athletics and golf have not brought much joy either, the last notable performances having come from the Black siblings years back ultramarathon ace Stephen Muzhingi and the likes of Nick Price in the yesteryear, respectively.

The Gems were one of four African teams at the NWC in 2019 and stand a real chance of qualifying again if they beat South Africa which is their next challenge.