Midlands Division Two football has received another US$2 000 sponsorship boost, with Sino-Zimbabwe Cement Company backing a one-day tournament set for the Gweru Showgrounds on August 15.
The latest injection comes shortly after local mining company Golden Mine Octa committed US$7 000 towards the inaugural ZIFA Midlands Division Two Golden Mine Octa Knockout Competition, bringing the value of the two sponsored competitions to US$9 000.
ZIFA Midlands Province Division Two vice-chairman George Sibangani confirmed the Sino-Zimbabwe sponsorship in an interview with Zim Now, saying the tournament would provide a platform to showcase teams from the province.
“The tournament is sponsored by Sino-Zimbabwe to the tune of US$2 000. It is a one-day tournament showcasing our Midlands soccer in the province and, at the same time, promoting our teams,” said Sibangani.
The tournament will feature three teams drawn from the leading sides in the province’s three Division Two pools.
Chili, Manyama and Chiponjeka are expected to take part, with the three sides playing in a round-robin format on Tuesday before the top two meet in the final at the Midlands Show.
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The Sino-Zimbabwe tournament follows the Golden Mine Octa Cup, which became the first knockout competition in the history of the Midlands Division Two league to receive dedicated sponsorship, with US$7 000 injected into the tournament.
Commenting on the Octa sponsorship, ZIFA Midlands Province chairperson Pervious Mathe said it showed that the league was improving and that the tournament would help raise the standard of football.
“Hosting such tournaments boosts players’ morale compared to playing only league games, and it also contributes to player development,” Mathe said.
The latest Sino-Zimbabwe sponsorship now gives Division Two players another opportunity to compete outside the normal league programme.
According to Sibangani, the continued support from Sino-Zimbabwe is particularly significant because the company has been involved with the tournament for a number of years.
“We are happy with the sponsorship which we are getting from our sponsors so far. It has been there, I think, as the longest tournament which we have played,” he said.
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