Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
ZIFA Eastern Region Division One soccer league has received a lifeline after securing a sponsorship deal with cigarette manufacturer, Pacific Storm.
The league has not had a title sponsor for more than two decades, hence the excitement following the official launch of the deal over the weekend at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo.
“We are excited as players that for the first time we have a sponsor, it is our hope that the deal will ensure improvement in terms of our matches. We had a lot of challenges and many times it would then demotivate us as players, but with this development, we are looking forward to exciting times,” Tenax Player, Jambo Joseph Tatenda said.
“The coming in of Pacific Storm as a sponsor has motivated us a lot as players. For me, it is been six years playing in ERSL and we did not have a sponsor, now all teams will put in more effort and for players, we now know that in the end, if you play well, definitely there will be rewards,” Wangu Mazodze Captain, Lucky Itimu said.
The League’s Chairperson, Wisdom Simba and ZIFA Chief Executive Officer, Yvonne Mapika Manwa concurred that the deal will go a long way in improving competition in the league.
“This is a huge step for us as the Eastern Region Soccer League and the deal will focus, beyond the core package, on branding and marketing of the league. This will also motivate our players because now they know we have a sponsor. In terms of value, currently, I am not able to share the exact details of its worth but we are happy as the executive,” Simba said.
“This partnership is a testament of what ERSL is doing as a league and it is also a reflection of what the ZIFA itself is, I think more than anything we appreciate that Pacific Storm has come in as a pioneer to sponsor this league. This is a partnership where we as the football industry are bringing in something to the corporate world while they are also bringing something very important for us,” Mapika Manwa said.
Pacific Storm Marketing Manager, Kudakwashe Chiutsi said the sponsorship was part of their corporate social responsibility.
“You will notice that the country has got so much talent, especially coming from the grassroots, however many times they lack sponsorship hence we are coming to ERSL this season. This is one of our strategies for 2025 for assist Division One teams with financial support as part of our corporate social responsibility,” Chiutsi said.
As part of celebrations, a Sponsorship Launch Cup was played at the weekend in which Tenax FC beat Wangu Mazodze FC by two goals to nil.
