Lovemore Chazingwa
In a bold move angled to enhance tangible benefits for the Northern Region Soccer League and stakeholders, a new headline sponsorship package by MCM Estates has been unveiled.
The innovative US$300k package pulls with it immovable assets to be parcelled out to overall winners at end of the upcoming 2026 season.
The deal, arguably one of the best packages to have stepped onto the pitch in Division One football nationwide, has already set the ball rolling after the initial major event was MCM’s bankrolling of this year’s NRSL Annual Soccer Star of The Year Awards Ceremony held last Friday.
The new major sponsor, MCM Estates, has included a new range of non-monetary incentives as well as expanded on fiduciary allotments that existed before, thereby bringing more value as well as net worth to the league.
That gesture, experts opine, is primed to raise not only the competition level, but the livelihoods and broad based economic empowerment of players and coaches alike.
Speaking to The Midweek Watch on the sidelines of last week’s annual awards ceremony, MCM CEO Anthony McMullen gave some insight, “At MCM we believe in land banking and smart investment so I hope this gesture we have extended will go a long way in assisting the players in their lives and value off the pitch.
“We’re proud to associate ourselves with such a partnership and are happy to unveil MCM Estates Northern Region Soccer League.”
Concluding, “We understand the struggles of football players where land investment is concerned and it is our belief and hope that the birthing of MCM Estates NRSL will go a long way in improving the net worth of Division One players.”
Deputy Youth Empowerment Minister, Kudakwashe Mupamhanga, shared his view to The Herald newspaper, “The biggest win is seeing the corporate world descend to our leagues to uplift our youth. Having corporates willing to partner with our leagues is a big deal for us. The partnership represents broad-based economic empowerment for our young people.”
In the fresh package deal, there will be an initial gesture of goodwill floating on a US$2 000 pay cheque.
While previous top performers for each month received a threshold US$200 each, that seam has been fattened by MCM Estates to US$350 each month.
A more refreshing part of the package is the parceling out of residential stands. Five holiday home stands, valued at a cool US$24 000 each, located at the prestine Chesa Wildlife Resort are to be allotted to winners at the end of the season.
At the end of the 2026 season, these stands will be reserved for the overall best NRSL Soccer Star, overall second best, most outstanding goalkeeper, leading goal scorer and the coach touted as outshining the rest in the league.
Efforts by the NRSL administrators has earned it a hefty share of immovable property as the sponsor has unveiled two stands from that same plot for the league.
The stands serve as an investment that will find use going forward. In other leagues, they have managed to build a business office complex which will house the league leadership operations, as opposed to rented premises at 53 Livingstone Avenue in Harare.
With the available real estate under its own wings, the league can fashion out a business model for the long term benefit of itself and stakeholders.
NRSL continues to set the trends in sponsorship deals in Division One football in the country. Conversely, it is one of the most sponsored leagues in the country.
NRSL traditionally moves with a major sponsor and other sponsors coming on board to cater for various ancillary packages. The full battery of NRSL sponsors will be made public at the most opportune time.
MCM Estates core business is to provide affordable fully serviced residential stands in gated communities.
Speaking to the media, newly elected NRSL chairman, Sweeney Mushonga reasons that the package aligns with the league’s vision: “The sponsorship aligns very well with our vision where we try to put players at the centre of our business.”
The league fully embraces the sponsorship package deal.
“As the NRSL we’re proud to formalise this sponsorship partnership with MCM Estates which comes at a crucial time for the growth and sustainability of our competitions. This package will go a long way in improving player welfare, enhancing competition standards, and strengthening the overall professionalism of the league. We are more than grateful for the confidence and support shown by MCM Estates and look forward to a successful and impactful partnership.”
