Castle Lager Premier Soccer league side Blue Ribbon Stars will this season be known as Blue Rangers as they seek to move on following the withdrawal of their main sponsor, Blue Ribbon Foods.
The milling company bankrolled the team during their debut PSL season before deciding to call it quits due to financial problems. Since then, the future of the club had been unclear with reports stating the club’s executive were ready to sell the franchise. In an interview with NewsDay Sport yesterday, Blue Rangers chairman Moses Shumba confirmed the name-change.
“Yes, we are changing our name to Blue Rangers FC from Blue Ribbon. Last year, we were known as Blue Ribbon Stars FC after our principal sponsors but they have since decided to withdraw their sponsorship.
“As the executive, we had to coin a new name for the club and we settled on Blue Rangers. After our sponsor pulled out there were reports that the club was up for sale but we want to assure our fans that we have just changed our name to Blue Rangers.
“At the moment, we are in negotiations with potential sponsors and we are appealing to those who would want to partner or sponsor the team to come on board,” said Shumba.
The current Blue Rangers executive comprises Shumba as the chairman, Isheunopa Ruwanza (secretary general), Blessing Huchu (head of finance), Trymore Chikomo (marketing and publicity) and Amos Mwale (logistics).
The club’s former team manager Wishes Shiridzinomwa has been given the mandate to assemble a squad for the new season as the interim coach after the club severed ties with coach Misheck Chidzambwa at the end of last season. For a team that was in its first season in the top flight-league, Blue Rangers, then known as Blue Ribbon did well to finish on ninth position. This saw some of the outstanding players attracting the attention of some of the bigger clubs. Skipper Daniel Kamunhenga signed for Hwange, vice-captain James Jam went to Motor Action, striker Tineyi Chitora is now at Dynamos.
Experienced defender Brighton Tuwaya also left the club with midfielder Cabby Kamhapa snapped by FC Platinum while Eria Phiri is reported to be at Shabanie Mine.
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Shumba said the departure of the players had not affected the team’s preparations as they had signed a number of new players.
