BULAWAYO businessman and philanthropist Raj Modi was yesterday unveiled as the Southern Region Soccer League patron at a brief function at his business premises in the city.
BY FORTUNE MBELE The business mogul, who has an interest in retail and sport, and is the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Sports Board chief executive, was unveiled to Division One clubs and media personnel by Zifa Southern Region chairman Musa Mandaza.
“It is the first time that the league has a patron. We want to spruce up our image. He is involved in many social activities. We looked all over in search of that father figure, in search of this man and after approaching him, it was like as if he was already waiting for us. It is my great pleasure to unveil Raj Modi. It is an honour of all times for him to be part of us. Modi, through his business, has developed Bulawayo,” Mandaza said.
“Football must support his business and who knows what will come out of this union? We are growing slowly, but surely and we want the legacy of football and the corporate world working together and bring back the glory days.”
Modi said it was an honour to be made patron of football in the region.
“I am a sport loving-individual and when I received that request in May, I did not have second thoughts and said let the partnership live for long,” Modi said.
Modi has been involved in sport in Bulawayo, sponsoring the Nkulumane Spar 10km Fun Run (renamed the Choppies 10km Race) over the years and has been financially involved with the Bulawayo National Youth Games team.
Also at the function was Sports and Recreation Commission coordinator for Bulawayo Sam Dzvimbu and Ndumiso Gumede in his capacity as honorary vice-president of Zifa.
