The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
TWELVE football teams in Bulawayo received a boost ahead of the restart of the domestic season when a non-governmental organisation, Inspire, donated boots worth US$7 500.
United Kingdom-based Patience Ndebele-Omijie, the founder of Inspire sourced the boots. Highlanders, Bulawayo City and Bulawayo Chiefs were the Premier Soccer League teams that benefited from Inspire’s charity work.
Inspire Men Women and Children Men Trust chairperson, Joel Phambano Ndebele said they were concerned with assisting the needy and once they laid their hands on football boots they decided to identify struggling community teams they can assist with the donation.
“Our focus is not on sport or football only but on this occasion, we managed to get a sponsorship of football boots and as with other items, we identify community teams that we can donate to. We hope the boots will go a long way towards ensuring that our footballers produce wonders on the pitch,” he said.
Bosso received two sets totalling 22 pairs while the other 11 teams got 11 pairs each. Ndebele said they are expecting another consignment of football boots soon and will be donating to other teams.
Bulawayo City board member responsible for marketing, Rodney Jele expressed appreciation for the gesture saying it will go a long way in alleviating the challenges faced by soccer players considering the sport has not been played for the past year and footballers had no income. He said the donation will cushion of the clubs in the Bulawayo Community.
Founder of Nozizwe Mother of Nations Trust, Iris Nozizwe Mhlanga said they were excited with the donation as it will be the first time their players will be wearing football boots. The team caters for youngsters who live in and around Burombo Flats.
