Timely financial boost for the Gems ahead of netba...

Timely financial boost for the Gems ahead of netball WC

Zim Now Writer

Nedbank Zimbabwe has extended a US$50k sponsorship package for the Zimbabwe Netball team, the Gems, ahead of their participation at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town from July 28 to August 6.

The sponsorship will cater for the team’s playing kit, travel insurance and other expenses they will incur at the World Cup.

Nedbank also extended a similar sponsorship package for the country’s elite league, Premier Netball League, which is the major feeder to the national team.

Nedbank Zimbabwe’s Head of Marketing Client Experience and Corporate Affairs Hope Marere said their sponsorship agreement with the Zimbabwe Netball Association underlines their commitment for the development of sport in the country.

“As part of our corporate social investment trust we have been intentional about contributing towards sport in our country. This partnership with ZINA affirms our belief in the support of sports and communities that surround them.

“We have been closely following the netball journey and we are proud to see that our Gems are ranked 13th in the world. The Gems have come a long way and continue to grow from strength to strength and we are proud to walk the journey with them to the World Cup in July,” Marere said.

ZINA president Letitia Chipandu thanked Nedbank for their sponsorship of the team which she believes will go a long way in ensuring the team achieves its goals.

“We are very excited and it’s something we have been wanting for a very long time. We want to thank Nedbank for coming on board and sponsoring the Gems as well as our professional league. It is a major boost because it will cover what we think is crucial while we wait for other sponsors, the government and any other well-wishers.

“It gives me joy to see big corporations beginning to see the value of investing significantly in female-dominated sports. I would like to encourage many other cooperates to take up the sponsorship opportunities in netball with the same vigour and enthusiasm that has been demonstrated by Nedbank. As more cooperates join in through sponsorships and rallying support for the girls, nothing will stop us from meeting the set targets,” Chipandu said.

In a speech read on his behalf Deputy Minister for Sport, Arts and Recreation Tino Machakaire thanked Nedbank for rewarding the Gems for the huge steps they have taken in raising the profile of the sport in the country.

“The sport of Netball has been making significant strides since the 2019 World Cup…since then the growth of the sport has been exponential. As a Ministry, we encourage meaningful partnerships that contribute to the development of the country. It is through such partnerships where we begin to appreciate that sport development is part and parcel of economic development,” he said.

Nedbank has also shown support to other local sports including rugby and cycling through sponsorship.