Why Swallows Have Prematurely Dumped Shirt Sponsor

South Africa National First Division side Swallows FC have decided to terminate a lucrative sponsorship deal with In2IT Technologies.

The club parted ways with their sponsors earlier this week after In2IT Technologies were alleged to have been involved in a scandal relating to an illegitimate issuance of a tender.

The IT Company came on board as Swallows’ sponsors in July 2019, signing a three-year deal worth R 150,000 per month, but its involvement in a tender dispute with the Gauteng Provincial government has made Swallows president Panyza Lesufi prematurely end the agreement.

Lesufi, who also serves as MEC for Education and Youth Development in Gauteng, also distanced himself from any involvement in the tender process and further called for legal action against In2IT Technologies.

“It has come to my attention that a company that sponsors a soccer team that I am involved [with], Swallows FC, is involved in a tender dispute with the Gauteng Provincial government,” read a statement by Lesufi.

“I was not involved in this tender, nor was I lobbied by the company or the Department of eGovernment to support the bid.

“I have since asked Swallows FC to immediately resume the legal and administrative processes to terminate the R150k per month sponsorship without necessarily insinuating that the company is guilty or not.

“It must [also] be stated that when the club was registered with the PSL, I recused myself from the ownership of the team.”

Swallows have been clear on their position on gaining promotion to the Absa Premiership and are expected to sign quality players for them to manage the battle.

The Dube Birds are currently second on the GladAfrica Championship table and stand a very good chance of playing top-flight football again next season.