Stanbic sponsors Central-South Africa hockey qualifiers for all Africa games

Stanbic Bank, is headlining the sponsorship of the Central-South Africa Hockey Qualifiers for All Africa Games AAG 2023 through a ZWL 18 million outlay.

The qualifiers are pitting Zimbabwe (men and women), Nambia (women), Zambia (men) and Malawi (men and women) at the event which is taking place at St Johns Educational Trust Astro Turf.

The winners for both men and women's teams will qualify for the All Africa Games set for Ghana in August next year.

Hockey Association of Zimbabwe President Grant Campbell said Stanbic Bank had taken care of the biggest expenses of the 5-day event which kicked off on Wednesday and ends on Sunday.

Campbell said the association had an obligation to transport the players from the airport to their respective hotels upon arrival into the country as well as take them from the hotels to the match venue and back all throughout the tournament.

HAZ was, however, facing financial challenges to see this obligation through and was grateful to Stanbic Bank for bailing them out.

"The biggest expenses for this tournament is transport for the players and Stanbic Bank has been fantastic by taking care of that bill for us and they have made our efforts to run the event much easier. Effectively Stanbic Bank is the main sponsor of this tournament," said Campbell.

He said 10 teams were initially penciled to take part in the tournament but two pulled out thus making some funds meant for transportation free for other use. This helped smoothen the running of the tournament.

Campbell commended Stanbic Bank for its long term support for hockey noting that the institution was the main sponsor for the Zimbabwe Under 21 ladies hockey team during the Under 21 junior world cup held in South Africa in December last year.

"We are looking forward to building a lasting mutually beneficial relationship going forward for the development of Hockey," said Campbell.

He said as the world starts to recover from the COVID 19 pandemic, hosting international tournaments such as the Central-South Africa Qualifiers brings enormous benefits to not only the hockey fraternity, but the sporting community and general citizens at large.

Stanbic Bank Head of Brand and Marketing, Palmer Mugavha said the leading institution was pleased to play its part in supporting sports and in particular helping the nation of Zimbabwe run its sporting calendar of events.

"As Stanbic Bank we have over the years supported the nation be it in health institutions through our flagship health initiative, Ruyamuro-Usizo, and humanitarian interventions such as provision of relief equipment during cyclone Idai and the Covid-19 pandemic among other donations," said Mugavha.