No Stanbic T20 This Year

Ricky Zililo

THE annual Twenty20 cricket tournament which has in the past attracted international stars hangs in the balance as the Zimbabwe Cricket is yet to get sponsorship for the competition.

Last year Stanbic Bank sponsored the tournament which was held in Harare.

This means that Logan Cup champions Matabeleland Tuskers and Mashonaland Eagles who won the Twenty20 Series and the Pro-50 One-Day Trophy will no longer add another piece of silverware to their cabinets.

A source at Zimbabwe Cricket offices said the national cricket body was making frantic efforts to get sponsorship.

“The truth of the matter is that chances to have the competition at this stage are very minimal as ZC is yet to get partners to bankroll the tournament. Remember this competition has in the past been broadcast on Supersport and even attracted overseas players. Even the reception from the public was awesome but it hangs in the balance,” said the source.

In 2010, Harare-based sports event management company Dominus Sport had the sole mandate to stage the competition.

Engaging Dominus Sport company, the then Zimbabwe Cricket Chief executive officer Ozias Bvute said: “Twenty20 cricket has gained popularity around the world and has carved out a niche market for itself. We saw the need to be innovative in our approach to increasing cricket audiences here in Zimbabwe and decided to enter into a partnership with Dominus Sport. I am confident that this relationship will result in the growth of cricket as a mass-market sport and entertainment alternative.”

For the 2010 edition, Dominus Sport brought Namibia who joined the five domestic franchises — Matabeleland Tuskers, Mashonaland Eagles, Manicaland Mountaineers, MidWest Rhinos and Southern Rocks for the tournament.

The company was also responsible for bringing international stars to add glamour to the Twenty20 competition. Matabeleland Tuskers last year had West Indies’ hard-hitter Chris Gayle.

In an interview after winning the Logan Cup, Matabeleland Tuskers captain Gavin Ewing said it was their wish to have two trophies in their cabinet.

“It is great to win the Logan Cup and believe you me everyone wanted to win at least two trophies. The guys were disappointed when we lost in the final of the Pro-50 One-Day competition to Mashonaland Mountaineers and now with rumours that the nine-day Twenty20 annual tournament is off it means our dream of having two cups is over,” said Gavin.

Matabeleland Tuskers chief executive officer Stanley Staddon professed ignorance on the Twenty20.

“I am still waiting for ZC to communicate to us about the end of season competition. The guys are training hard with the view of taking part in that competition,” Staddon said.