Kukoma oils Diamonds
After labouring for five years without a sponsor, the gods have finally smiled on, Diamonds Netball Club, after securing sponsorship from Capital Oil Refining Industry (Cori).
Following the signing of memorandum of understanding by the two parties at Cori headquarters in Chirimba Industrial Area yesterday, the team would now embrace a new name-Kukoma Diamonds.
Kukoma Cooking Oil is one of the products that Cori produces and Golden-K is another of the company’s produce.
Cori Sales and Marketing Manager, Chrispin Sunjani, said details including the amount of sponsorship and duration would be announced within two weeks during the official launch of the sponsorship.
“We were approached to consider supporting the team. We went through the teams’ proposal and profile and we felt it wise to support them. Of course, we are planning for an audacious sponsorship and the details would be communicated later,” he said.
Sunjani said it was important to associate Kukoma Cooking Oil with netball which is predominantly played by women.
“Cooking Oil is mostly associated with women and so is netball. Therefore, it was only right and proper to associate Kukoma with netball. The right way to do it is to sponsor Diamonds,” he said.
The Sales and Marketing Manager also said they would help Diamonds reclaim top post in the country.
“We know the team isn’t performing as it used to be, but together we will explore ways to help the side reclaim its status,” he said.
Cori’s Senior Manager, John Damson, warned the team that they would not entertain indiscipline.
“We will monitor the discipline of the team both on and off the court,” he said.
Diamonds technical manager, Isaac Chimwala, said the sponsorship was timely having endured five-years without support.
“We are really excited and we promise to do well in league and cup games to promote the name of our sponsor,” he said.
Diamonds captain, Carol Mtukule-Ngwira, said lack of sponsorship was haunting the side.
“It has been difficult years but we were together because we love the sport and the team. Now we want to continue shinning. We don’t want to let Kukoma down,” she said.
During the function, Cori directors were present as well as Diamonds head-coach Griffin Saenda, senior players Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda and Jessica Mazengera-Sanudi, team manager Sella Mwafulirwa and treasurer Tracy Kamanga.
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