Adidas launch Dembare kit

BANCABC, the principal sponsors of Dynamos have promised to bankroll them in their next adventure in the African Champions League as the champions took delivery of their 2014 kit from technical sponsor Adidas yesterday.

Hashmon Matemera - BancABC managing director speaking during the unveiling of the new kit by Adidas, said they would look into the issue at the end of their 2014 campaign with a view to funding their continental campaign.

"When we started supporting Dynamos some four years ago, our objective was to transform through Dynamos the level and standards of soccer in Zimbabwe.

"We knew it was going to be a long journey and we knew we couldn't do it on our own. So when we welcomed Adidas last year, we knew we were in the right direction.

"The partnership with Adidas has actually opened our eyes to the value of partnering with an international brand and we really appreciate what Adidas has done not only to us (BancABC), but to Dynamos as a team.

"When we see Dynamos properly kitted we feel we are in the right direction. We also think that through our partnership with Adidas we should be able to do more to enhance the team's financial position as well as the image of football in the country.

"Resources are limited. The economy is difficult and the fortunes are hard, but we always stand behind Dynamos and we think this year from what we have so far seen we think we are good to go back to Africa next year. As they prepare to go back to Africa next year, we will discuss with them as we have been doing and hope to support them," Matemera said.

Last season, Dynamos lifted the domestic league title for the third time in row.

However, BancABC advised them that they were not in a position to bankroll their African safari. This left the Glamour Boys with a huge challenge to look for funding to enable the team to participate in the Champions League.

The Zimbabwe champions failed to secure a sponsor and had to endure travelling to Botswana by road for their second leg of the preliminary round Caf Champions League match against Mochudi Centre Chiefs which ended in a 1-1 draw with the visitors advancing to the first round on a 3-1 aggregate.

Dynamos also faced challenges in raising air fares for the players for the trip to DRC for a decisive clash against AS Vita. Dynamos suffered a 1-0 defeat to bow out of the tournament having been held to a 0-0 draw at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.

The Glamour Boys received the new Adidas kit during a function attended by Minister of Postal and Courier Services Webster Shamu who is also the team's patron; Dynamos chairman Keni Mubaiwa and the club's board of directors.

Adidas Sports manager (South Africa) Bob Maphosa said: "Our first year partnership with Dynamos has been a rolling success for our company Adidas. Since coming into this partnership I am delighted to say that our brand and football products have continued to take centre stage in the top Zimbabwean Premier League where we continue to dominate.

"We have enjoyed growth in the market and we have set a high standard for sports retailers in Zimbabwe. As a result, together with DeMbare we will raise professional football even higher this season through consumer activation, promotions and competition initiatives.

"In addition to this it confirms to us that Zimbabwe is indeed a place to invest in Africa. Undoubtedly we have also experienced challenges and learnt valuable lessons about business in this exciting environment as such our process, logistics and general understanding of the local consumer behaviour will vastly be improved going forward.

"This learning will benefit our consumer as we expand our stores to a further two by 2015. Today we would like to thank the government for the support, Dynamos supporters, BancABC and notably all the stakeholders."

Highlanders, who are also in partnership with Adidas and have also BancABC as their principal sponsors received their new kit in Bulawayo on Tuesday.