NMB inks 33m/- to bankroll Mapinduzi Cup 

NMB Bank has inked a 33m/- sponsorship deal to back the Mapinduzi Cup International tournament ahead of its kick off at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on January 1st, 2023.

That includes a cash prize of 23m/- that will be handed to the overall winners and sports gear as part of its commitment to support sports development.

The Mapinduzi Cup 2023 tournament is scheduled to be graced by the President of Zanzibar and the Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Hussein Mwinyi.

Speaking during a press conference to announce the bank’s sponsorship at the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports offices in Zanzibar, the NMB Zanzibar Branch Manager Naima Said Shaame said the sponsorship aligns with the Government’s efforts to celebrate the 59th anniversary of the Glorious Revolution of Zanzibar.

“As one of Zanzibar’s biggest development stakeholders, we felt duty-bound to be part of these celebrations. We have been supporting the Mapinduzi Cup since its inception, and we believe our support will help to make this year’s tournament bigger and better,” she said

Naima said apart from handing over a grand prize of 23m/-, the bank has also donated sports gear to various leaders and the diplomatic community who will participate in a demonstration walk-in to be held in Pemba to signal the opening of the tournament.

“This is not the end of our sponsorship. We will announce other sponsorship initiatives soon after reaching an agreement with the responsible ministry.

As a bank, we will continue partnering with the Government to enhance sports development across the country. NMB Bank believes sports contributes to our well-being and brings us together as a nation,” Shaame said.

On her part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Fatma Hamad Rajab,  commended the bank for its timely support for next year’s Mapinduzi competition as the ministry has been struggling to find sponsors.

“The bank’s sponsorship now gives us faith that next year’s Mapinduzi Cup will be successful. We have already received the cash for the tournament winner and other prizes for the top scorer, disciplined team, and the best goal keeper. These will be handed over in the presence of the Zanzibar President,” Shaame said.

She reiterated the ministry’s commitment to partnering with various stakeholders in Zanzibar to enhance sports development.

“Partnership with various sports development stakeholders will ensure the growth of sports in the long run. I take this opportunity to encourage other companies to come on board and support the government’s sports development initiative,” she added.

This year’s Mapinduzi Cup competition brings together 12 teams, four coming from Tanzania Mainland are Young Africans, Simba, Azam, Singida Big Stars and Namungo.

The other five teams are from Zanzibar. They are KVZ, KMKM, Malindi, Mlandege, Jamhuri and Chipukizi, while Aigle Noir from Makamba, Burundi is the only team from EAC bloc.