Port and logistics multinational DP World has confirmed that it has come on board as an official partner for the Betway SA20 cricket tournament, believing it can roll out the kind of freight industry prowess it has become known for to a wider spectrum of communities and countries.
The group’s CEO and managing director for sub-Saharan Africa, Mohammed Akoojee, told a gathering at the Wanderers on Monday morning that the company controlled 10% of global trade through its network and wanted to use its expertise to enable improvement through cricket.
He said through sport, as has been proven before, DP World wanted to use its capabilities to bridge the gap that connected people from all walks of life.
Ahead of the white ball spectacle which kicks off on January 9, Graeme Smith, commissioner of the T20 league in South Africa, said: “To be able to welcome Mohammed and his team and DP World to the SA20 family is a very exciting day for us.”
The event is now in its 3rd season, and Smith said a lot of people didn’t realise what went on behind the scenes to make the SA20 tournament the success it has been.
By coming on board as an official partner, DP World’s contribution is regarded as the kind of partnership “that has elevated the event to the level we have been talking about for three years”.
Akoojee’s team leader for corporate affairs and sustainability, Esha Mansingh, said DP World was looking forward to driving greater awareness about decarbonisation through its SA20 involvement.
Tasked with the responsibility of providing transport for a tournament comprising 34 matches in one month across South Africa, Mansingh said it was an ideal opportunity to promote the message of adding efficient supply chain value through smart logistics.
Esha Mansingh, head of corporate affairs and sustainability for sub-Saharan Africa and Graeme Smith.
