Econet Wireless and its subsidiary, Cassava Smartech this afternoon, donated a combined RTGs$422 500 to the national netball team, the Gems towards the team’s preparations and upkeep at the world cup slated for Liverpool, England next month.
The Gems’ preparations for the world showcase have been hampered owing to financial hiccups as cooperates have been folding their hands due to the crippling economic decay.
However, the latest instalment of financial aid will likely oil the preparations and serve as a morale booster for the team ranked 13th in the world.
Econet CEO, Fayaz King lauded the Gems for the resilience they have shown during the trying times and urged the team to do the country proud and raise the nation’s flag high.
He said the donations were part of the company’s cooperate social responsibility and could not watch the team struggle at its time of need.
“We reached deep into our hearts and pocket and said this can’t happen, not on our watch, not when we are here,” he said.
Zimbabwe Netball Association (ZNA) president Leticia Chipandu paid homage to Econet for the timely donation and pledged to do well in the competition.
“This sponsorship will go a very long way in our preparations and we promise you that we will not just go to add numbers, we will go past the first group and further into the other group. We will try to do out best and make the nation proud,” she said.
Zimbabwe is drawn in the same pool with Australia who are best ranked in the world, Sri Lanka and the Northen Ireland.
