14 Sep 2014

On Tuesday, September 9, the annual Francistown Independence Cup yet again received a funding boost from World Group of Companies - Francistown – to run football activities planned for this year’s independence celebrations in the northern economic hub.

Announcing the sponsorship at the Francistown District Commissioner’s Offices, at Ntshe House, the director of Building Materials Supplies (BMS), Naziri Patel said: “It’s not a million pula sir, but it’s worth a smile because we have actually increased the money from P28 300 last year to P35 000.”

Patel’s quip was obviously directed to the Francistown City Mayor, Councillor James Kgalajwe, who had jokingly but surely begged for the sponsorship to continue beyond 2016, “and even be increased to a million pula.”

The Francistown entrepreneur said although it might appear small, their effort had been made possible by the support they got from the community within which they operate. 

“We have important reasons to be part of the Francistown Independence activities. First, we take delight in providing free entertainment to the people of Francistown, and, secondly, we want to add value to the development of soccer in the region,” he said.

Cllr Kgalajwe stole a moment to announce that the long awaited Francistown Stadium was being re-constructed and that the project would be over by June next year. “We expect a lot of Gaborone and international games to come down here once the stadium is complete,” he said.

The council leader said the stadium was being redone for a whooping P97 million split between four different companies. He commended the World Group of Companies for funding the Independence soccer tournaments for the past seven years.

The First Division North Chairperson, Eatametse Olopeng, assured the audience that there will be plenty of games as soon as the stadium is complete, saying that that was the reason why the facility was initiated in the first place.”

The main members of the Francistown World Group of Companies, each of which had a representative at the launch, include Building Material Supplies, Builders World Francistown, Royal Wholesalers, and Wheels.

The participating teams have been drawn from every structure and they include Ecco City Greens, Tafic, Tonota FC, Amakhosi FC, Sua Flamingos, Calendar Stars, TAFA FC, Mexican Dogs, Eleven Angels, Red Bulls, Fighters, and Heartbreakers FC. 

The tournament kicks off this weekend and entry is free throughout the tournament. The ultimate champion in the men’s category will take home P12 500, while the runners-up will pocket P7 500. 

In the women’s category the champions will take home P2 500, while the runners-up will pocket P1 250. Referees have been allocated P400, whereas trophies, medals and other expenses have been allocated P4 000 also. ENDS