Gift of the Givers ‘appreciate’ values of Maritzburg United

MARITZBURG United and Gift of the Givers have launched a partnership which will see the DStv Premiership team display the logo of the humanitarian organisation when they play competitive games.

As part of the deal, Maritzburg United jerseys, which are on sale to the public, will carry Gift of the Givers branding which will also feature at the club’s home ground, the Harry Gwala Stadium.

The deal does not involve any exchange of money and will see players and officials from Maritzburg United taking part in humanitarian initiatives organised by Gift of the Givers.

The aid group’s founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman is excited about the partnership.

“It’s something I would have never

expected. The fact that it is for free tells us that the club has generosity. This is not a club with big money but they are still appreciating our values. It’s extremely important that the club is from Pietermaritzburg because it’s where the Gift of the Givers was born and where I have been living in since 1986. This sets a precedent for clubs and sports teams from all over the world to give back,” said Sooliman.

Most professional soccer clubs in South Africa have suffered heavy financial consequences due to restrictions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic and Sooliman said he hoped that the Team of Choice could attract funding to help sustain itself as a club.

“I pray that they get funding. If Bongokuhle Hlongwane did not have an opportunity for Maritzburg United, he may not have scored for Bafana Bafana recently. In Africa we need to create

opportunity for youth. I have told the club that if they get a good sponsorship, we are willing to remove our logo from the shirt,” said Sooliman.

Maritzburg United Chairman Farook Kadodia hailed the partnership.

“Never before has such an agreement been struck and this relationship now affords us an opportunity to build on our dreams of social cohesion and nation-building. These are core values of Gift of the Givers and they have always been shared by us as a club” said Kadodia.”

Since its formation in 1992, Gift of the Givers has become the largest disaster response and non-governmental organisation of African origin on the continent. It is currently active in 44 countries throughout the world and has received several prestigious awards in recognition of the humanitarian work that it does.