Charity Shield changes

By The NewsDay | Mar. 20, 2013 | 2 Min read

SPONSORS of the NetOne Charity Shield season opener — NetOne — say they might change the format of the tournament next season.

Tawanda Tafirenyika

NetOne managing director Reward Kangai disclosed to NewsDay Sport at the weekend. He, however, expressed satisfaction with the way this year’s tournament was staged.

“We are happy that this tournament has been a success. A lot of supporters braved the chilly weather to come and watch this tournament. That shows people really supported the tournament.”

“We decided to empower fans by letting them vote for the teams that they wanted to take part in the tournament through the sms voting platform and as you could see many fans came to watch the matches. But we might introduce changes to the format of the tournament in future. If we get suggestions we will be ready to take them on board,” Kangai said.

The NetOne boss also said they were happy with their relationship with the Premier Soccer League and would be re-engaging them soon for a contract renewal for another three years.

The tournament sparked controversy this year after the country’s two biggest teams Dynamos and Highlanders were, according to the sponsors, beaten in a public vote.

DeMbare, who missed this year’s tournament for the first time in four years, disowned the results of the NetOne poll, arguing they were flawed and possibly manipulated.

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NetOne, who clashed with Dynamos last season over shirt sponsorship, insisted that the voting conducted via the sms platform was transparent and that the two giants did not have enough supporters voting for them.

This saw Caps United, FC Platinum, Monomotapa and Chicken Inn taking part in the tournament after they garnered enough votes from their fans through the sms voting platform.

Chicken Inn lifted the tournament at Mandava Stadium, Zvishavane, on Sunday after edging Harare giants Caps United 3-2.