Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter

LOCAL sportswear suppliers are hopeful that 2022 will be a different year after several sports codes rolled out their calendar of events ahead of the new season.

Sports shop operators had recorded low business during the past two years owing to Covid-19 pandemic which saw all sports codes being brought to a halt in this country. Several national sport associations like football, rugby, cricket, triathlon, bodybuilding and horseracing, among others, are set to resume to full action and sports shop owners say it is a positive move for their business. Tatenda Madzvamuse, the Innez Sports marketing executive, concurred that they have a positive response during the start of the year as schools and sports clubs are coming in to inquire about their products.

“We are having a good response from independent athletes, sports clubs, parents and schools since the beginning of the year as everyone is now hopeful that 2022 will be a better sporting year.

“We had very low business in the past two years but, things are looking bright this year. We have had enquiries from netball and volleyball teams, a thing which we had not had for months. 

Our hope is that the cases of Covid-19 do not spike and sports returns to normalcy. If sports resume at full throttle, we will engage new partners and associations which can help us, so we are very happy with the current development,” said Madzvamuse.

Ideal Svovanepasi of Ideal Sports said the possible resumption of sports in the country will be a plus to them as they had endured a torrid time during the past two years.

“I think this possible resumption of all sports codes is a good move and will mean more life and a bright future for our business. It is good that we can now be able to partner several sports associations and supply them with sportswear as well as medals when need arise.

“We have always had challenges in locals who do not appreciate our products but, we are getting there as we are matching world standards through research and improvements on the quality of the goods and services we offer,” said Svovanepasi. Walter Marara of Perfect Designs, who specialise in kit and corporate branding, said they are looking forward to the year 2022 as their business was low without sports.

“We are geared up for the year 2022 and we are looking forward to partner more athletes and associations.

“Having boxer Kudakwashe ‘Take Money’ Chivandire and Maud Mushonga as our brand ambassadors has helped us in promoting sports. We are not going to end in boxing and powerlifting alone but to other sports codes as well.

“We remain adamant that the year will be a smooth one and get back to normal so we remain afloat in business. 

There is a stereotype that local products are not world class but we have very good standards that we always maintain as a brand rather than just sheer profiteering,” said Marara.

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