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CBZ commits to Zim Cricket

By Edison Chikamhi

CBZ Holdings are now the official sponsors of the national cricket team as Zimbabwe Cricket continue their battle to revive the glory days of the past.

Zimbabwe Cricket head of Media and Corporate Communications Shingai Rhuhwaya said CBZ have committed themselves to the national team for an indefinite period.

"CBZ have made a long term investment with the cricket team and they are coming in with a very substantive package. It’s a sizeable commitment to meet all the team’s expenses and requirements for the whole year.

"We are grateful and we appreciate this commitment because it comes at a time when many companies are struggling to stand on their feet under the prevailing economic environment," said Rhuhwaya.

Under the deal the national team would be required to wear a kit with a CBZ logo on the front patch when playing in official matches beginning in the West Indies where they are involved in a short tour that include one Twenty20 match and five ODIs.

The kit was handed over to the cricket mother body at a private ceremony at Harare Sports Club.

CBZ’s gesture was a huge vote of confidence for the team battling to revive its fortunes in the world and return to Test cricket within the next 18 months.

Zimbabwe are currently on tour in the West Indies where they are scheduled to play five ODIs.

They began their campaign on a winning note after coasting to a 26-run victory in the sole Twenty20 match, ahead of the forthcoming ODIs.

"We are glad that CBZ has come on board at a time when the level of cricket in the country has gone up a notch. It’s a huge confidence booster to have Zimbabwe’s largest bank supporting the national team and we believe the relationship will be prolific," said Rhuhwaya.

The standards of domestic cricket in the country have been on the rise since the inception of the franchise system culminating in the success of the recent Twenty20 tournament, which also had a number of companies backing it.

CBZ Head of Marketing and Public Relations Christine-Ann Chitapi said the company was looking forward to developing the sport in Zimbabwe and enhance the brands of both parties.

"We are conscious about helping our country and we like associating ourselves with reliable, strong brands that rally corporate citizenship at national and international level in line with our own brand.

"Cricket is a strong brand that is growing rapidly, we are proud to fly high the national flag in partnership with the national cricket team and this is the beginning of a great relationship.

"Our association with Zimbabwe Cricket is the beginning of a partnership that we hope will last for a long time and we wish the national team the greatest of success," said Chitapi.

CBZ Holdings are not new to the world of sports having sponsored the Premier Soccer League.

bayhaus wrote:I commend CBZ for sponsering but that LOGO is terrible its just too big!!! The should have just used the circle part of the logo. But I blame Zim cricket for not considering aestheics in the kit. I think Faith wear do a good job with the kits my favourite bring the latest one. ZC should have stipulated a maximum size for the logos not take up the WHOLE front!