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FOR THE FANS . . . World Navi Zimbabwe managing director Stanley Makombe (left), Zifa Northern Region vice-chairman Martin Kweza (centre) and chairman Willard Manyengavana follow proceedings at the launch of the sale of raffle tickets in Harare yesterday

Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
THE World Navi Northern Region Soccer League car raffle tickets sale was launched yesterday in Harare with several tickets being snapped and the organisers hopeful that they will meet their targets.
The raffle is part of the deal that Japanese car dealer, World Navi, entered into with the Zifa Northern Region, as part of the sponsorship package that will see some fans winning cars in the draw.

The Northern Region leadership, led by chairman Willard Manyengavana, vice-chairman Martin Kweza and secretary-general Sweeney Mushonga, has been busy in recent weeks tying up deals for their league.

They unveiled a deal for their Golden Boot winner with Supreme Panel beaters, including prize money for the player who scores more goals every month, while last week they also announced the eight-team Yadah TV Knock-out Cup worth US$30 000. Division One football, which for long was treated as a poor cousin of the Premiership, has been thrust into the limelight, thanks to the efforts by the leadership.

Last week Prophet Walter Magaya, who is sponsoring the Yadah TV Knock-out Cup, promised that he wanted to help make the league so glamorous that players will find it fashionable to leave Premiership clubs to play in Division One. Speaking at the official launch of the raffle, World Navi Zimbabwe managing director Stanley Makombe said they were excited to finally get the sale of the tickets underway.

“We are excited to officially launch the World Navi Northern Region Soccer League Car Raffle tickets sales,” said Makombe.  “The gesture demonstrates our commitment to develop football in Zimbabwe and this is part of our sponsorship package that we signed with the league at the beginning of the year.
“The sponsorship gave birth to the first ever sponsorship deal for the league.

“This is the epitome of our partnership with the league as it integrates our combined interests in which the league will raise money to run its affairs, at the same time affording us as a company the chance to meet potential buyers and increase our sales while at the same time rewarding the critical stakeholders in football.” Makombe said fans were an important sector of any sport but, in most cases, they were not treated as partners. “Fans play an important role in every sport the world over but sadly they are always left out, particularly in the developing world,” said Makombe.

“We have gone a step further in giving a vehicle to the first ever Soccer Star of the Year (in Division One) who shall drive away in a high quality Toyota Corolla and will get a rare opportunity to go for trials with top-tier league clubs playing in the J-League, Japan’s Premier League.”

The sale of the raffle tickets was supposed to begin on August 1 but they were delays in securing the licence needed to operate the raffle. All the teams in the Northern Region Division One league have been allocated tickets which they will sell to their fans at their home matches. Two of the cars will be won by the fans and the third car will go to the Player of the Year. The raffle tickets are pegged at US$1 each and this effectively means that, for just a dollar, one can win a car. The final draw will be held at Lafarge on October 25.

Northern Region Fixtures
Tomorrow
ZRP Morris v Karoi United (Morris) Flame Lilly v Gunners (Chikurubi), Mushowani v Royal Classic (Chaminuka Madziva), Blue Swallows v Seven Flames (Manyame), DStv Rangers v Twalumba (Old Hararians), Commando v Bindura (Commando)
Sunday
Lake Harvest v Ngezi Platinum (Chaminuka), Starbill v DC Academy (Gwanzura), Chegutu v Black Mambas (Pfupajena)