Stanbic bankrolls hockey qualifiers

HOCKEY Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) president Grant Campbell has hailed Stanbic Bank for bankrolling the ongoing Central-South Africa Hockey Qualifiers for All-Africa Games (AAG) being held in Harare.

Stanbic injected ZW$18 million (US$39 000) for the five-day event which started on Wednesday, ending on Sunday.

The qualifiers pit Zimbabwe (men and women) against Namibia (women), Zambia (men) and Malawi (men and women) with the winners for both men’s and women’s teams qualifying for the 2023

AAG set for Ghana.

In a statement, Campbell said the association had an obligation to transport the players from the airport to their respective hotels upon arrival into the country as well as take them from the hotels to the match venue and back all throughout the tournament.

This has been intervention.

“The biggest expense for this tournament is transport for the players and Stanbic Bank has been fantastic by taking care of that bill for us and they have made our efforts to run the event much easier. Effectively, Stanbic Bank is the main sponsor of alleviated by

Stanbic’s this tournament,” said Campbell.

He said 10 teams were initially pencilled to take part in the tournament but two pulled out, freeing up some funds that were meant for those team’s costs.

Campbell also commended Stanbic Bank for its long-term support for hockey recalling that the institution was the main sponsor for the Zimbabwe Under-21 ladies hockey team during the age group World Cup held in South Africa in December last year.

“We are looking forward to building a lasting mutually beneficial relationship going forward for the development of hockey,” said Campbell.

He said as the world starts to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, hosting international tournaments such as the Central-South Africa Qualifiers brings benefits to the sporting community.

Stanbic Bank head of brand and marketing Palmer Mugavha said the bank was pleased to play its part in supporting sports.

“As Stanbic Bank we have over the years supported the nation, be it in health institutions through our flagship health initiative Ruyamuro-Usizo, and humanitarian interventions such as provision of relief equipment during cyclone Idai and the Covid-19 pandemic among other donations,” Mugavha said in a statement.