25 Jun 2015

The COPA Coca Cola is back with Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL) injecting over P1 million in this year’s edition.

The tournament, played in 23 countries in Africa and in America, Europe, and Asia, would be in its second year in Botswana

Speaking at the Copa Coca Cola launch, the deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Nnosang Mhutsiwa said government appreciated initiatives from the private sector and  he thanked KBL in their quest of developing the sport.

Mhutsiwa said in basic economic terms, there were more needs than resources and government could not afford to adequately develop sport alone. “It is therefore pleasing for a company such as KBL to continue sponsor sports development in this country’ she said.

 Mhutsiwa noted that Botswana was a middle income economy and that more emphasis was on economy diversification because no one was sure of the future of diamonds.  and government would embark in sport issues in order to encourage competitiveness in sport and to enhance economy diversification initiatives.

She said her ministry was promoting Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) which has a mandate of encouraging learners to be involved in sport at an early age, because of the benefits associated with involvement in sport.

Mhutsiwa said the benefits include instilling a sense of discipline as different sporting codes have their rules and regulations that govern them.

In the field of play, she said students learn to obey the rules of the game hence instilling discipline, and that the psycho-social support also benefits the learners because it deals with the mind, reduces stress levels and they are able to get relieved from both the academic and social pressure.

Meanwhile COPA Coca-Cola is a grassroots youth football tournament that seeks to engage youth in active, health living whilst supporting the development of grassroots youth talent.  ENDS