By Tinaani Nyabereka
MIDLANDS – Gweru based football outfit, TelOne FC football Club has received US$800k sponsorship package from Telone Company for the 2024 upcoming season.
Telone Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lawrence Nkala revealed the development during the official unveiling of the club’s kits and players in the Midlands Capital and said TelOne belonged to the people who he said were key stakeholders in the operations of the club.
“At the onset of this club establishment, we didn’t have much to talk about TelOne FC, but today here we are, talking of a team that has started from a low background. From a social team to a community team and the Premiere League.
“We are now talking of a different scenario where TelOne FC is now in the topflight league. As TelOne Company we have channeled US$800.000 to support the team in its operations in the coming season. The money is not enough, hence we say remember the club belongs to the community and donations can be contributed to enable the club to move forward without any restraints.
“We therefore appeal to our corporates and valued stakeholders to come on board and support their team for better results. We also acknowledge the twelfth player who is the fan, without our fans there is no TelOne to talk of,” said Nkala.
TelOne FC Head coach, Tendai Chikuni said he was ready for the upcoming fixtures the team needed to work more on its strike force.
“We are still working in terms of boosting our squad, so I feel I haven’t done much on that aspect as we need to incorporate more on our strike force. But we are ready to kickstart the league.
“As a coach, I know the first five matches are critical and very crucial. So I don’t have a target yet but we will treat every game as a difficult game which needs adequate preparations,” said Chikuni.
Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube pledged to assist the club by attracting more sponsors to uplift the club’s operations as they enter the topflight league.
The WiFi boys have moved to boost their squad with new signings with the likes of, Lloyd Gweriva coming from ZPC Munyati, Matripples Muleys( Triangle), Evian Mafirenyika (Triangle), Polyester Shoko( Sheasham) among others joining the Gweru based outfit.
Eagle’s Nest lodges, donated US$2000 to the team, and Glow Petroleum pledged US$10 000 cash and other backup packages for boys.
A local-based company, Food Engine donated US$400, while Minister Owen Ncube donated US$500 alongside Silobela Member of Parliament, Jonah Nyevera who donated, US$200.
