MBABANE – Eswatini’s reigning regional netball champions have received a significant timely boost ahead of their title defence in Zimbabwe next week.
Royal Flames, the Eswatini Royal Police Service (REPS) netball team, captured the Confederation of Southern Africa Netball Association (COSANA) club title last year in Namibia, defeating Zimbabwe Defence Force Queens in a tense final.
Ahead of their departure, the local giants secured a windfall of playing kit, essential supplies and financial backing from a coalition of eight corporate sponsors.
The donations were officially received at Matsapha Police College by National Commissioner of Police Vusi Masango and Deputy National Commissioner Simangele Motsa, the veteran netballer, who serves as Flames president.
The REPS leadership expressed deep gratitude to the corporate partners, issuing a directive to the squad to fly the national flag with pride and retain their crown.
The eight-strong sponsorship roster comprises Montigny Investments, Mgcabho Construction, C.G. Trading, Let’s Credit You, Sky Land Airline, Eswatini Fitness Centre, Price Rite and Goldwagen.
The COSANA Club Championships will run in the period July 14 to 20 in Harare, where the hosts will field a formidable four-team contingent: Last year’s runners-up Defence Force Queens, Black Rhinos, Harare City and Chapungu.
A highly-competitive regional field will also feature four teams from Namibia. They include Wanderers Netball Club, Namibia Correctional Services and the Namibian Navy, alongside Lesotho Correctional Services and a strong Botswana line-up featuring Maun Heroes, Jwaneng, Mighty Gunners and Botswana Defence Force Cats.
Royal Flames with National Commissioner of Police Vusi Masango as they receive support for the upcoming COSANA Club Championships. (Pic: REPS)