10 Mar 2013

Sport is capable of generating wealth and employment for those who take it seriously.

When officially launching Unity Dow as patron of Kgatleng Regional Football Association (KRFA) and unveiling its logo and offices in Mochudi on March 9, Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Dr Gloria Somolekae said sports development required investment and implementation of plans.

Dr Somolekae said research had shown that most of the measures geared towards sport empowerment were a basis for national sport development and improvement in performance. “To this end,  government approved the establishment of centres of sport excellence with a view to improve the country’s competitiveness in sport,” said Dr Somolekae.

She said KRFA had embarked on a robust regional development programme, which was in line with the Re Ba Bona Ha programme and the constituency tournaments meant to unearth talent.

She said football played an important role in the development of both rich and poor countries and the transformation of the lives of individuals all over the world adding that many governments had adopted policies and strategies to harness the power of sport in particular, football, to promote and consolidate human development.

Dr Somolekae expressed gratitude to KRFA for taking a bold step to develop football in the region and bringing in Dow as a patron to share ideas and source partnerships with other stakeholders. “You have chosen a powerful and strong woman who will not disappoint you and will make sure she achieves her roles as a patron.”

She called on the Kgatleng business community, the public and nation at large to come on board and help KRFA in their mission emphasising that the noble gesture could only bring tangible results if full support was available.

In her acceptance speech, Dow said it was an honour to be given the patronage by the Kgatleng regional football association. She said she has agreed to be part of the association after she saw the passion and commitment of KRFA committee and the strategy they put forth on how their mission could be achieved.

 Dow added that she agreed because they were not seeking money but wanted her ideas and the passion they showed by working tirelessly without being paid anything. She therefore offered them offices where they could hold their meetings and donated P5 000 as start up for their funding.

In his welcoming remarks the chairperson of the KFRA, Olefile Ramaabya said the day marked another step that will bring change and development to Kgatleng football affairs. Ramaabya said they had set themselves objectives and targets which were supposed to be achieved in 12 months.

He added that their aim was to network and collaborate with other stakeholders so as to achieve the development of football. He said as an association they sought to improve the level of playing and promote teams to ply their trade in the national league every year. ENDS