Zimbabwe: Savanna Partners Fans

Source from:  The Herald 10/09/2009

Harare - SAVANNA Tobacco yesterday unveiled a US$40 000 package comprising regalia for the local fans -- in a strategic partnership with the Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters' Association　as the countdown for the 2009 Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup got underway in Harare yesterday. The regional football showcase kicks off on October 17 with Zimbabwe taking on Mauritius. Last night, Savanna Tobacco unveiled a range of T-shirts and tracksuits, which the fans will wear during the Cosafa tournament. The company, which has wide-ranging interests in domestic football through their sponsorship packages with Dynamos and Highlanders, will pay for the costs of production and distribution of the clothing range. The function attracted a number of heavyweights involved in the Local Organising Committee of the 2009 Cosafa Cup. The LOC falls under the Sport, Tourism, Image and Communications Taskforce -- a Government arm headed by Sylvester Maunganidze. Maunganidze said it was encouraging that black indigenous people were supporting football and challenged other companies to follow suit. He urged supporters to come in their numbers and fill stadiums during the Cosafa tournament and help to make it a resounding success. "This is our mini World Cup and we have got the chance to host and want to host it in a perfect manner," said Maunga-nidze. "We want supporters who will work as ushers, security personnel and drivers and all this will be done by the local fans who should benefit from the Cosafa cake. "The relationship between Savanna and sport should not end today and other companies should also emulate Savanna." Nelson Chamisa -- the Minister of Information and Communication Technology -- said the Government was fully behind the hosting of the Cosafa Cup tournament. He urged the fans to play their part and inspire the Warriors to greatness. "Our supporters are our national representatives, soccer is not soccer without supporters just like a church. It is not a church without worshippers. "We want to promote and provide a conducive environment for supporters to support soccer. "As ICT we will try and make sure there is connectivity for the visitors. We want to put the nation in the spirit of preparedness. Let's allow supporters from the rural areas and remote areas to come and watch soccer," said Chamisa. He said football needed to pay the players a genuine return for them to give their best. "We have excellent players in this country, but we have not done well as a team because we haven't been giving our players what they deserve. "They say if you give players peanuts, then you should expect to get monkeys and, in the event that you don't get monkeys, then you get monkey services. "Let's give our players a decent salary so that they can be inspired to play for their country and win for their country." Chamisa said the inclusive Government would work to ensure that football was promoted and developed. "Our totem is Zimbabwe and we should always strive to ensure that we promote Zimbabwe and we play and win for this country. "Our supporters have a duty to ensure that they support their players so that they can do very well and the companies should also help the players." Savanna Tobacco marketing manager Onias Gweru said they have enjoyed a good relationship with the soccer fraternity for the past three years. "We brought worksuits and tracksuits as our gesture to support the Warriors. "Our business as a company is not to sell cigarettes, but to bring pleasure to the fans." Last night's function was attended by Premier Soccer League chairman Tapiwa Matangaidze, who also challenged the fans to fill the stadiums in support of the national team. Zifa chief executive Henrietta Rushwaya represented the association while ZNSSA leader Eddie "Mboma" Nyatanga and secretary-general Cain Muzuva represented the supporters' body. A minute of silence was observed before the function as the gathering mourned the passing away of Dynamos secretary-general Stan Kasukuwere's four-year-old son. Enditem