Kalra unveils US$13 million sponsorship for Rhinos franchise

KWEKWE – Rhinos cricket franchise got a shot in the arm when Australian based company Kalra
Group unveiled a US$13 000 sponsorship package at Kwekwe Sports Club last Saturday.
Rhinos franchise consists of two provinces – Midlands and Mashonaland West which have 13 clubs
that will benefit from the sponsorship package includes match day kits for players and umpires,
balls, bats and transport costs for teams and umpires during their league games.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) chairperson Tawengwa Mukuhlani applauded Rhinos for securing the
sponsorship from Kalra Group.
“This is a milestone achievement by Rhinos and it will improve the game of cricket in the Midlands
and Mashonaland West provinces. We need to nurture players at grassroots level and we have
upcoming youngsters being inspired to play cricket by their own local heroes.
“As ZC, the centre can’t hold it all, we need initiatives like these, where sponsorship is invested
directly into local club cricket development.
“I would like to congratulate Admire (Marodza) and his team for securing this sponsorship as we are
preparing to decentralise the two provinces in future.”
He also spoke about the challenges ZC is facing with Kwekwe Sports Club management.
“This facility is an international first class cricket ground but if the management does not give us a
longer lease, we will develop Mbizo ground, Kadoma and even Senga. We need a better lease so that
the venue is accessible by everyone in the provinces for development. Our success is measured by
player development,” said Mukuhlani.
With the domestic club cricket sponsorship in the palm of their hands, Rhino General Manager
Admire Marodza said everyone is excited as their major dilemma had been solved.
“This is something that is big, everyone from our two provinces is excited. Basically what it means is
all our overheads have been taken care of in terms of our domestic cricket as it covers transport,
umpires and match balls. It is a bigger achievement and we are all excited. This sponsorship means
quite a lot to us.
“We are currently negotiating with the Kwekwe Sports Club management on the issue of our lease
agreement tenure,” said Marodza.
Rhinos franchise has produced some of the best cricketers in the country from their domestic club
cricket league.
Some of the players include Mike Chinouya, Carl Mumba, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tarisai
Musakanda, Brandon Mavuta and on the ladies side Mary Anne Musonda, Josephine Nkomo, Ashely
Ndiraya, Nomatter Mutasa also U19 women Kelly Ndiraya, Kay Ndiraya and Faith Dhlalambi all came
from Rhinos domestic club cricket teams and went on to represent the country in various Zimbabwe
national cricket teams set up.