Simba Jemwa, Sunday Life Reporter
ZIMBOS believe grassroots sports are beneficial to local communities. One particular entity turned this belief into 65 years of supporting football development at amateur level.
And they continue to do so today!
“Local clubs are an essential part of the sporting landscape here in Zimbabwe. They’re the best place to spot future talent, and what’s more, they have a profound impact on mental and physical wellbeing in the local community.
Covid-19
“I’ve seen first-hand how many clubs are struggling with funding, especially following the challenges of COVID-19. For 65 years, we as Townsend and Butcher have always offered an incredible opportunities and support for clubs right across Bulawayo,” the company’s owner, Peter Leondios told Sunday Life.
Established in 1957 by the original owner, Wally Townsend, the sports equipment and apparel concern has been a visible and active participant in several sport development initiatives. Known more for its famed Townsend and Butcher Trophy, the company has also been very invested in the darts, volleyball, athletics and basketball sporting codes.
“Although our initial foray into sponsorship was through the Townsend and Butcher Trophy which was for clubs playing in the Bulawayo Amateur Football Association (BAFA), but as the years went by, we started to get involved in other sporting discipline.
Townshed and Butcher director-Peter Leondios
“We realised that sport in general needed to be supported if it was going to grow and given that we are in the business of providing sports equipment for almost all the sporting codes in the country, we knew we had to support them too,” said Leondios who took over the company from its founder in 1986.
When Townsend sold the business to Leondios, the latter was made to pledge continued support for the Townsend and Butcher Trophy. However, Leondios also began supporting police teams from the province’s Division One side to all the clubs that play in the inter-station league.
“When Wally sold me the company, he asked me to continue the legacy of the Townsend and Butcher Trophy which I have done for 36 years. But along the way I also began to look at assisting other sports like volleyball, darts, basketball and athletics. And through this assistance I have noted with satisfaction improvements in the standards of these sports,” said Leondios who was born in 1945 in Cyprus to Greek parents who moved their small family to Zimbabwe in 1957.
“Currently we are still involved with the police teams. We provide uniforms and other types equipment to all the teams in the interstation league. We have been doing this for many years after we initially approached by the late Riot Ncube who was a football coach in the police service,” Leondios said.
The company’s rich legacy is so unparalleled that in the mid 1990s, Townsend and Butcher was one of the sponsors of national Under-17 team that won the age group’s Cosafa Tournament in Botswana. At the time, Leondios received a call for assistance and did not hesitate.
“When Zifa called me and asked me to help, there was never any doubt in my mind. We jumped in feet first and did what we could to make sure the team was happy and comfortable. We even hosted a farewell dinner for the young players and thankfully, they traveled to Botswana and came back with silverware,” remembered Leondios.
Leondios moved and settled in the Matabeleland region in 1967 when he started a business in Kezi. Leondios owns several other businesses in and outside Bulawayo. He has previously employed several soccer players like former Zimbabwe Saints right back, Augustine Zinoyerwa. @RealSimbaJemwa