MASSIVE BOOST FOR UNITED CRICKET
Jendamark pumps R500 000 sponsorship into cricket club
UNITED Cricket Club announced yesterday it had secured a massive R500 000 sponsorship deal with Jendamark Engineering International.
The deal is one of the biggest yet in Eastern Province club cricket history and has enabled United to strengthen their player base, coaching structures and logistical matters.
The deal was made official at a media launch at Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton yesterday.
It includes naming rights to the team, and the sponsor will also make contributions to leverage sport with education.
A partnership has also been sealed offering internships to all players studying in the engineering field, as well as assisting with individual player development.
Among those present were Jendamark director Siegfried Lokotsch, United Cricket Club chief executive Gerald Majola and life president Silas Nkanunu, a former Saru president.
Majola said: “We could not have wished for a better 40th anniversary gift than for Jendamark to confirm their naming rights sponsorship.”
The sponsorship will entail the funding and purchases of playing apparel and club uniforms for all the five registered clubs and the transport of players to and from the field for all fixtures.
“We have been struggling lately with equipment. Children like to play in the cricket nets at the New Brighton Oval.
“Unfortunately it results in heavy damage to the nets and the
United members are as passionate about cricket as we are about machines
turf,” Majola said. Part of the sponsorship funding will go towards the coaching and development of club cricketers in preparation for the league.
Majola then announced the club’s new signings for the season, which included new coach Riaan Jeggels.
The new players are Romano Esau, Siviwe Gidana, Riaan Kilian, Emmanuel Kohl, Duncan Maarman, Eto Mahlanyana, Basie McMaster, Bradley Nelson, Lazola Nobebe, Ben Rayners, Siphelele Saliwa, Bong Sinyani, Lukhanyo Tybosch, Lionel Vaaltyn and Bathandwa Vens.
He also thanked the team’s current sponsors, Daku and New Brighton SPAR, Afrisec and EXR Construction, “for their unwavering support of United Cricket Club over the last two years”.
“We now look forward to continuing our relationship with all these partners in other areas within our programme,” Majola said.
Lokotsch described working with the cricket club as a privilege.
“We are delighted to be partnering with United Cricket Club and look forward to our association with them.
“United Cricket Club members are as passionate about cricket as we are about machines,” he said.
“I felt that there was a bit of an alignment between us and what the club was trying to achieve.
“We need to change the mindset of those around us and prove that Jendamark and United Cricket Club are a strong force together,” he said.