Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
THE Sakunda Holdings sponsorship that brought relief and stability to the country’s two football giants Dynamos and Highlanders is ending on the 31st of December.
Just as the season is coming to an end, the three-year partnership between Sakunda Holdings and the traditional giants of Zimbabwean football Dynamos and Highlanders is also coming to an end.
Mirrored upon other sponsorships in the region where one corporate bankrolls the football giants, the three-season partnership brought relief and stability to DeMbare and Bosso.
The energy giant signed a US$6 million sponsorship with Dynamos and Highlanders where each team pocketed a million United States dollars per season.
The structure of the agreement saw Sakunda provide US$420 000 towards the payment of salaries for players and the technical team.
Each club would also receive US$60 000 each year as signing-on fees and Dynamos opted to strengthen their squad as they went on a hunt for silverware and also got to uplift the DeMbare brand.
The Glamour Boys refreshed their squad and in three seasons they signed more than 30 players and they have a younger squad capable of carrying the DeMbare brand forward.
After years in the doldrums, Dynamos, who have been challenging for honours, finished third last season while this season they were in contention for the greater part of the season.
They are set to compete in the Chibuku Super Cup final next month.
On the other hand, Highlanders chose to boost their commercial side as they went on to rehabilitate the Highlanders village giving it a fresh new look that attract patrons.
Apart from the commercial side, Bosso were able to rope in expatriate coach Baltermar Brito together with his assistant Antonio Torres and the two have been paid handsomely without the usual noise of non-payment of salaries.
The oil giant also dangled a carrot for the two giants as there was a huge incentive to win the league title with a promise of a further US$200 000 for the winners plus a further US$150 000 bonus for qualifying into the CAF Champions League.
Sakunda has also facilitated the capacitation of the club’s administration by organising training workshops mostly on making a football club financially viable.
On and off the field, the teams were well-kitted, they looked immaculate during matches and even when travelling for matches.
However, with the contract coming to an end, the three parties are yet to approach the energy giant for renewal talks.
