Safa Vhembe and the Sport Journal & Marketing company, owned by the former president of Netball South Africa, Ms Ntambi Ravele, signed a partnership agreement at the Khoroni Hotel in Thohoyandou last Wednesday. The partnership will see Safa Vhembe teams gaining from various sponsorships and sub-tournaments, which will be organised by this marketing company. Ravele described the sponsorship as a way of giving back to the community as she is from Vhembe, but based in Gauteng because of work commitments. “First we will conduct clinics and teach team managers and coaches how to market their teams with the aim of attracting potential sponsors. We also plan to shape their league image to look more professional and attractive," she said. Safa Vhembe president Mr Khorommbi Nemavhola said the sponsorship will also teach team owners, who end up performing many duties such as being coaches, trainers and also referees, to cope with all the responsibilities. "Through this sponsored training, they will be able to delegate duties to other officials in the teams," he said. During the signing of the partnership, Vhembe´s district executive mayor, Falaza Mdaka, increased the prize money for the annual mayoral cup from R250 000 to R500 000.