23 Jun 2015

Minister of Youth Sport and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng has implored the corporate world to support district teams to ensure their successful participation in the Botswana Games scheduled for Francistown in December 5-13.

Speaking at the launch of the games on Monday (June 22), Olopeng said teams needed resources such as attire, equipment and finance and therefore urged the corporate world to brand teams from their respective districts.

He said companies should invest in the athletes in order to win the confidence of their parents.

He thanked the Francistown leadership for accepting to host the games as they came at a cost to them and some level of inconvenience to the community due to the number of people involved. He however, said there is no greater benefit to a city than the pride and goodwill that come with hosting sporting events.

“There will also be economic benefits accruing from publicity, procurement for the games and the purchasing power of the over 4  000 participants expected at the event,” he said.

He said it is his ministry’s policy that games such as the Botswana Games, including national team matches are hosted at different locations across the country in order to help showcase local talent to Batswana at large and also to improve ownership and support to the local athletes.

Olopeng noted that the games have grown since they were launched in 2007 as they started with a total of 3029 participants in 11 sporting codes. He said in 2009 there were 3 569 participants and 4 926 athletes in 2011 while there were no games in 2013 due to the Africa Youth Games.

Francistown mayor, Sylvia Muzila said the games came at an opportune time when the city is embracing itself to become vibrant. She said the games will assist to create a link between the people of Francistown and those from other areas

The Patron of the games, Abel Khupe assured Olopeng that Francistown will do its best and not disappoint.

He called on all business enterprises to partner with the local organising committee for the benefit of their businesses and to ensure a successful  event is hosted. Ends