GWERU – NetOne officially handed over a US$80,000 sponsorship to army side Chapungu FC on Friday in Gweru after BancABC pulled out last season.

Chapungu were running without sponsorship in the first half of the 2018 Premier Soccer League season after BancABC who were unhappy after the military stopped soldiers from taking loans from banks that paid their salaries, which hit the bank.

Chapungu is the fifth team so far to be under NetOne wings in the PSL after Dynamos, Highlanders, Caps United and another army side Black Rhinos.

Speaking at the official launch of the sponsorship deal in Gweru, NetOne Chief Executive Officer Lazarus Muchenje said the sponsorship is meant to bolster Chapungu in the remaining fixtures of the season and aslo help both institutions push and market their organisations.

“It’s a great pleasure for me to be here today in Gweru, the City of Progress, as we formally introduce to the owners of the team, you the people of Gweru, the recently unveiled partnership between NetOne and Chapungu FC,” he said.

“These funds are meant to cushion the teams for the remainder of the season with some of the funds channelled towards player bonuses.

“This is the beginning of a fruitful journey which we as NetOne believe will see both institutions flourishing and benefitting.

“You shall be seeing more of NetOne pushing and supporting the Chapungu brand and vice versa, NetOne has taken the first step to urge all of you to join the NetOne family and support the network.”

Chapungu was established in 1984, a brain child of ZNA Commander Air Marshall Josiah Tungamirai to whom, Muchenje said, the sponsorship is dedicated.

Muchenje said for the partnership to work, Chapungu had to move out of the bottom end of the Premier League table to ensure survival for the next season.

“The team is not yet guaranteed of safety in the Premier League where they are currently lying sixth from the bottom and with this sponsorship, we hope the team will be inspired and start to pick up positive results and move up the league table,” he said.

Minister of State for the Midlands, Owen Ncube, was Guest of Honour accompanied by Josiah Tungamirai Air Commodore Elisha Masakadza.