DYNAMOS players and the technical team will finally get their 2012 NetOne Charity Shield prize money after almost a year’s wait, following the resolution of a conflict that engulfed last year’s final. REPORT BY KUDA MANGOMA SPORTS REPORTER
The prize money is $50 000, but it could not be established yesterday if the whole amount will be released.
This was revealed by NetOne managing director Reward Kangai during a handover of proceeds of last year’s Charity Shield final between Dynamos and Motor Action, but he did not say if the champions will get the full package or not.
The stand-off between NetOne and BancABC centred on Dynamos’s refusal to don a NetOne branded kit for last year’s final. Dynamos wanted the jerseys to be designed in such a way that gave BancABC, their sponsors, advertising space at the front. However, NetOne would not allow it.
Dynamos decided to warm up in NetOne T-shirts, but played the match in a kit advertising BancABC and after winning the shield, were denied their prize money.
The ceremony was preceded by a minute of silence in honour of the late legendary Warriors striker Adam Ndlovu, who died in a car accident on December 16 last year and was laid to rest on Unity Day.
“NetOne will give Dynamos players and technical team a token of appreciation,” Kangai said.
Premier Soccer League chairman Twine Phiri confirmed that the row has been resolved and should Dynamos be voted to play again this year under a new format, there would be no problems.
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“There were past challenges (between NetOne and Dynamos), but these issues have been resolved now. Dynamos will get their prize money and the Charity Shield will be hosted again this year.”
This year, the Charity Shield will be contested for by four teams, voted for by fans. Figures of the new sponsorship deal could not be obtained yesterday during the disbursement of funds to charities, but sources point to $200 000.
This year, the tournament will allow fans with mobile NetOne lines to select which teams they would like to see compete.
Users will send the name of their team of choice to 38080 via SMS and the top four most popular teams will face each other in a semi-final set-up with the winners progressing to the final.
The venue and date for the tournament will be announced after the confirmation of participating teams.
This year, NetOne’s corporate social responsibility focused on 14 children’s homes under the handle, “Touch a Child’s Heart”.
The beneficiaries are Alpha Cottages in Masvingo, Ekhaya Kip Keino of Gwanda, Khayelihle in Bulawayo, Emthunzini weThemba, Jairos Jiri in Southerton, Mother of Peace from Mutoko, Manhinga Village in Rusape, Blue Hills, Maryword Children’s home in Kwekwe, Jehovah Sharom Orphanage, Just Children Foundation from Harare, Come unto Me, Ponesai Vanhu and Montgomery.
