FRANCIS CHIPALO writes
@sun Zambian
THE only way sport administrators can attract sponsorship from the corporate world is by being transparent, honest and disciplined with funds, Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions (OQBP) Communications Manager Chris Malunga has said.
Malunga said this on Friday when he announced ‘Big Tree’ as the official kit sponsor for boxers under his stables.
“It is also important that sponsors get value for their money,” Malunga said.
He said it was important for sports administrators to ensure that support given to them is utilized for the intended purpose because any misapplication of moneys would make it difficult for them to get on board next time.
Malunga urged boxing administrators to come up with attractive marketing strategies that would entice companies to sponsor the sport.
“Sponsors will not follow us but it is up to us to follow them and present our plans to them which would entice them to support us,” he said.
“Planning is very important and as OQBP, we thank our partners for their continued support. We promise to continue working hard and ensuring that our boxers produce positive results,” Malunga added.
Malunga’s comments come after complaints by some boxing associations that they lack support from government and the private sector.
In the recent past, some sports associations have been complaining that men’s football at national team level has been receiving a lot of support even in the midst of poor results.
Zambia Sports Fans (ZASPOFA) patron Peter Makembo urged associations to be transparent in the manner they utilized funds in order to attract sponsorship.
Government, through Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development Director of Sport, Bessie Chilemu, called on sport administrators to be innovate and find ways of raise funds for operations.
Chilemu however, said government will endeavor to support all sport disciplines because it does not consider any sport discipline as ‘minor’ or ‘major’.
