Bosso clinch one year sponsorship deal

HIGHLANDERS have clinched a one-year sponsorship deal with their former sponsor Savanna Tobacco through their Pacific Storm brand. The package will see the cigarette manufacturer availing funds for the club to sign players, bringing to four the number of sponsors that have entered into deals with Highlanders after main sponsors BancABC, Bakers Inn and Buscod Supermarket.

Presenting his report during the annual general meeting held at the club house yesterday, Highlanders chairman Themba Ndlela said the sponsorship would cover many areas such as payment of players and technical staff salaries, supplying the team with training and playing kit as well as hosting of the end of year awards.

"The Buscod sponsorship officially ended on 31 December 2011 and negotiations are still underway for an extension. Savanna Tobacco have come back after a two year absence and the club is happy that the value of its brand has once again been recognised. The club has already received some funding towards the payment of signing on fees although the full package will be released at the official launch which will be held at a date to be advised," said Ndlela.

He told the meeting that it was worrisome that Savanna pulled out of the sponsorship after a Highlanders member wrote to the company claiming that the executive was stealing some funds from the package.

Club treasurer Odiel Nkomo told the members the club was shown correspondence written by the unnamed member to Savanna where the member was alleging that the Ndlela executive was stealing money and as such the package had to be stopped.

The issue of back stabbing by members was also confirmed by board chairman, Dumisani Sandi during his address towards the end of the meeting.

"Ladies and gentleman it really pains me that amongst us here we have people who are working against the interests of the club. We went to a certain company seeking for sponsorship and the gentleman was honest enough to tell us that a Highlanders member told him not to put money at Highlanders. I think in future we should name such people in public so that members will know who their enemies are but for today I will not do that. We know the man of course," said Sandi to a stunned audience.

Only three Highlanders players have their contracts expiring at the end of the year with the rest having three to five-year contracts with the club, it has emerged.

Promising Under-20 international goalkeeper Bhekinkosi Ndlovu, defender Bruce Tshuma and midfielder Simon Munawa will have their contracts running out at the end of the year with the rest of the remaining 32 players having three to five-year contracts.

The revelation was made by the Highlanders chairman Themba Ndlela when he addressed 189 members during the club's annual general meeting held at the clubhouse yesterday.

"We are pleased to advise that the club has 35 registered players in its books with 24 of them being aged between 17 and 22 years with contracts ranging from three to five years. It has not been easy to achieve this feat as we had some amongst us who would deflect good players to other clubs, the club has managed to resolve the perennial problem of yesteryear of panic signings to complete the required quota to meet registration deadlines. We are currently not under any pressure to sign any players but we will only do so at the convenience and affordability of the club," said Ndlela.

Over the years Highlanders have always had sleepiness nights during the beginning of the season as most of their players would not be having contracts, something which saw the club resorting to pre-season trials in an effort to search for players.