Kukoma Diamonds say will retain name
Netball powerhouse Kukoma Diamonds say they will not change their name even if their sponsor Capital Oil Refining Industries (Cori) sticks to the decision to withdraw sponsorship at the end of the month.
In an interview yesterday, Diamonds treasurer Bertha Mazeze said they will not rush to change the team’s name.
“Some might think it sounds awkward, but we made the decision in appreciation of the support which the company has been giving us for the past eight years.
“Cori has been a good sponsor and we need to understand what they are passing through in terms of operations and economy. Kukoma Diamonds is now a household name and changing the name will not help us,” she said.
Mazeze, a former Diamonds centre, dismissed suggestions that their stand might put off potential sponsors.
“For now, we cannot talk about prospective sponsors because the team is still being sponsored by Cori up to December 31. Besides that, we have engaged Cori to seriously rescind their decision,” she said.
The Diamonds official also said they have sought the intervention of Minister of Youth and Sports Ulemu Msungama on the issue.
Cori sponsorship coordinator Violet Kapolo, whose company promoted its Kukoma cooking oil brand through the team, confirmed being approached by Diamonds.
“But it will be difficult to change our position due to the current economic condition,” she said.
Last week Cori announced its withdrawal of sponsorship for the Blantyre-based netball outfit due to the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on refined cooking oil as the company cannot compete effectively on the market.
