Diamonds get Kukoma relief on sponsorship

Local netball powerhouse Kukoma Diamonds have breathed a sigh of relief after Capital Oil Refining Industries (Cori) committed to extend the team’s sponsorship contract.

There was a cloud of uncertainty over the future of the deal after Cori raised some concerns relating to the team’s operations.

But the issues have since been resolved following a meeting which the sponsor called for on Tuesday.

Cori sponsorship coordinator Violet Kapolo said they will bankroll the team for another season after Diamonds promised to sort out the concerns issues.

“We set some conditions which the team has promised to address. We will be renewing the sponsorship before the end of the month.

“Our goal is to reclaim the titles which we lost last season. So, Kukoma brand will continue oiling the Diamonds,” she said.

Although Kapolo was reluctant to disclose the conditions, a well-placed source revealed that Cori has asked Diamonds to be one of the signatories for the teams’ account to ensure transparency and accountability.

But Diamonds general secretary, Chimwemwe Bakali, described the meeting as normal.

“We often do this before the start of the season. However, this season we delayed to hold the meeting.

“It was a fruitful meeting and shortly we will come up with an official statement,” she said.

Diamonds are the Rainbow Paints Southern Region Netball League champions. They contribute a number of players to the national team such as Caroline Mtukule-Ngwira, Bridget Kuwenda-Chalera, Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda and Jessie Mazengera-Sanudi as well as the national team coach Griffin ‘Zagallo’ Saenda.