The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Football Association vice-president, Omega Sibanda has welcomed the Thembalethu Foundation sponsorship of the Southern Region Women Soccer League saying that it was encouraging to see people looking after the girl child.
Sibanda, who was at the guest of honour at the official sponsorship launch held last Friday, said that Thembalethu Foundation are taking note of the change in the political environment, that’s why they are sponsoring women’s football.
“We say we are in the new dispensation but not all are noticing what is happening, a great change is happening and Thembalethu is part of those people noticing there is a change and that’s why they are putting money into sports, especially to the girl child,’’ Sibanda said.
The Zifa second in command described last Friday’s sponsorship launch as befitting in that it came the same day the Mighty Warriors thumped Swaziland 3-0 at the Cosafa Women’s Championship in South Africa to book a place in the semifinals.
“We respect the girl child and we are celebrating the Thembalethu Foundation sponsorship today, together with the win of the Mighty Warriors, remember they won today, they won 3-0. I am sure Thembalethu knew that the girls would win today and hence made sure that we celebrate it immediately after the girls win,’’ said the Zifa VP. He pledged that Zifa will treat Thembalethu Foundation the way they respect other sponsors by ensuring that they do the right things, making sure that competent referees are appointed, there is no match fixing and no squabbles in football.
“I came here to officially announce that Zifa is taking Thembalethu Foundation on board as a sponsor of Southern Region Women Soccer League so its official you are known by Zifa that you are part of us and as you are part of us, we will recognise you accordingly like we do to all our sponsors,’’ Sibanda said.
United Kingdom-based Zimbabweans, Kelvin Marley and Sisasenkosi Mnkandla are behind the Thembalethu Foundation. A lot of prizes are in store for the teams at the end of the season with accolades for the teams, coaches, match officials and administrators. The monetary awards are yet to be revealed as the sponsors have indicated that they are still engaging more partners with an interest in pouring money into the women’s league.
The league now has nine teams after the controversial expulsion of the Lee Mangena owned Street Set. Former Women’s Football vice chairperson Elizabeth Langa and football coach, Cosmas Zulu were some of the soccer personalities who attended last Friday’s launch.
