NATIONAL Rugby League sponsors, Delta Beverages, through their Lion Lager brand yesterday handed over rugby equipment worth $20 000 to the league’s eight teams at Old Hararians Sports Club.
DANIEL NHAKANISO SPORTS REPORTER
The equipment includes branded training and match balls, ruck shields, tackling bags, training cones and speed ladders. Unlike last year when only eight teams in the Lion Lager National Rugby League benefited from the deal, this year will see women’s rugby and the two feeder regional leagues, Harare Metro League and the Midlands-Matabeleland Rugby League also benefiting.
Patricia Murambinda, Delta Beverages marketing manager pledged her company’s continued sponsorship of the sport. “We as Delta Beverages through brand Lion are very excited to be handing over this equipment to the National Rugby League teams, the women’s teams and the feeder leagues to the national league. The equipment is worth over $20 000.
“We will continue to sponsor rugby in the coming years and one thing that is exciting for us as sponsors is to see the money we are putting in being put to good use as it will encourage us to continue our sponsorship,” Murambinda said.
National Rugby League chairman Noddy Kanyangarara thanked the league’s sponsors for the equipment.
“It has now become an annual event for us to hand over kit to clubs as you would have noticed that the standard of rugby has actually improved in the 2013 season.
“Yes, some of the scores are runaway scores but if you really look at the standard of the game it has really improved. “This is because of the equipment that we have supplied to the clubs courtesy of Delta through their Lion Lager brand.”
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Kanyangarara said although the equipment had come towards the end of the season, it would continue to be of use for the clubs next season.
“Yes, people might say it has come a little bit too late but we are not just looking at the 2013 season, but the 2014 season. The equipment is not perishable and the teams will use this equipment going into next season.
“I hope the clubs will put this equipment to very good use. The equipment that we have got this time is branded so you will not have any equipment being sold in shops,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Lion National Rugby League matches featuring Harare Sports Club and Old Hararians (OH) have been postponed because of their participation at the David Phiri tournament in Lusaka, Zambia this weekend.
Harare Sports Club were expected to travel to Gweru Sports Club while OH were scheduled to play Old Miltonians. Former champions Old Georgians host Zvishavane Bulls while Western Panthers host Matabeleland Warriors.
