Sakunda instructed Bosso to dump OTB Looks for its alleged ‘poor quality’ kits

BULAWAYO – Highlanders FC sponsor Sakunda Holdings is said to have directed the Bulawayo giants to ditch On The Ball (OTB) Looks kits deal, well placed sources at the club told Nehanda Radio.

It is being alleged that Sakunda Holdings as well as Bosso’s new sponsor Better Brands Jewellery, pushed Bosso to end its three year marriage with OTB with concern over ‘poor materials’ of kits.

The kit sponsorship deal between OTB Looks and Highlanders worth US$300 000 expired on the 31st of December.

“…We wish Highlanders and its fans the very best for the 2024 season and beyond. When you have had a fruitful relationship, it’s never goodbye, it’s always see you later,”said OTB Looks chief executive officer Peter Chiveso.

Bosso are said to have decided not to renew the deal following Sakunda and Better Brands Jewellery intervention.

Nehanda Radio has learnt that the two companies owned by businessmen Kuda Tagwirei and Scott Sakupwanya, “were unhappy with the ‘poor material’ used in the OTB jerseys and refused to associate their brands with them”.

Consequently, unconfirmed reports indicate they pursued a sponsorship deal with Adidas whose kits were unveiled in Harare on Thursday.

Efforts to get a comment from the Sakunda Holdings company owner Kudakwashe Tagwirei were fruitless.

The business mogul did not respond to questions sent to his WhatsApp.

Responding to the alleged Sakunda and Better Brands intervention to the previous deal with the two giants, OTB Looks chief executive officer Chiveso told Nehanda Radio:

“As OTB Looks, we were focused on delivering on our contract, which we successfully did. We had a good relationship with Sakunda which came on board during our tenure with Bosso and DeMbare and continued with them and worked well during the time.

“Both clubs were well dressed with training gear, travel gear, and match day gear, which they are still using now, a testament to the quality.

“After the expiry of a contract, it can either be renewed or not and we’re perfectly happy with the work we did with the two clubs.

“The two clubs had never had a sponsorship package of the kind we offered, where they are dressed completely free of charge, and replicas are provided to them on consignment stock to sell at a profit.

“They did not spend a cent on kits during our tenure. There was absolutely nothing negative in the manner the contracts ended, the contract tenure simply expired, and there was no renewal.

“The clubs are always free to engage whoever they want. We are simply proud of having been associated with the two giants and dressed them properly for (the past) three years.”