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Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter

DYNAMOS board chairman Bernard Marriot-Lusengo has embraced the challenge by their sponsors Sakunda Holdings to adhere to the tenets of good corporate governance in the management of the club.

DeMbare and rivals Highlanders renewed their marriage with the energy giants for further three years with the sponsors stressing the need for unity, tranquility, success on and off the pitch, good corporate governance and “efficient and competent administration”.

Marriot, who is the majority shareholder at the Harare giants although that has been challenged at courts, told the Zimpapers Sports Hub that the club has enjoyed sound management in the last decade, despite the championship drought.

He also hailed the commitment demonstrated by Sakunda Holdings in uplifting the giants in the last four years. Marriot said businessmen like Kuda Tagwirei, the Sakunda Holdings owner, deserves a special place in the history of the game because of the enormous sacrifices they make for football.  

“This man has King Solomon’s wisdom. He is endowed with a rare compassion. He is a man who is unparalleled when it comes to his benevolence and kind heart. What he has done for the two clubs in the last few years is priceless. 

“What it also shows is that Sakunda have confidence in the administration of the two clubs. So, there was no reason they would not come back to sponsor Dynamos and Highlanders. 

“This sponsorship will greatly motivate our boys because some circles were going about saying Dynamos have no kits and no sponsorship but here we are. The sponsorship is there. So, it’s now left to the boys to give their best on the football pitch,” said Marriot. 

DeMbare and Highlanders extended their marriage with Sakunda Holdings, which began in 2021 by further three years. 

The company’s secretary Maurice Makoni made it clear that the success of the partnership will depend largely on good corporate governance and success on and off the pitch.

“There are a number of ingredients that we believe as Sakunda go into the good of football and the success of the game in this country.

“Among them would be efficient and competent administration of the game, good corporate governance, simple love for the game, hard work and unity of purpose among the stakeholders,” he said.

The sponsorship renewal and the new Adidas kits unveiled by the giants have been largely welcomed by the football stakeholders who include largely the supporters from the two clubs. 

By yesterday the fans from both teams were clamouring for the replicas. However, the sponsors said the first batch of the replicas should only be expected in two months’ time. DeMbare cheerleader Chris Romario Musekiwa said replicas should be affordable to many. 

“We applaud our esteemed sponsor Sakunda Holdings on the sponsorship renewal and the unveiling of the Dynamos and Highlanders 2024 season kits. Those jerseys are beautiful and we are proud to be associated with the club. 

“As fans, we cannot wait for the replicas. If possible, the responsible authorities should try and speed up the process because there are always imposters who may take the advantage of the void and bring in fake products on the market. This will obviously disadvantage the teams,” said Musekiwa.