23 Mar 2016

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Mr Thapelong Olopeng says he is aware that BFA leagues do not have any sponsors. He said it has to be noted that the objectives of constituency sport tournaments were different from those of the BFA.

Mr Olopeng said the BFA was expected to use government subvention and any alternative sponsorship from the private sector to support its leagues, adding that the government continues to be the main sponsor of different sport codes in the country. However, he noted that it was by no means enough to sustain and grow sport in the country.

He said his ministry, together with Botswana National Sport Commission and affiliates, continued to implore the private sector and other stakeholders to come on board to render financial support. 

He said the incentive for companies that sponsor the premier league and first division was a tax rebate in terms of Section 51 (2) of the Income Tax Act. He said although it was not enough, his ministry has no plans to provide direct financial support for such leagues due to budgetary constraints.

Gaborone North MP, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa had asked the minister to state what was being done to ensure that BFA’s divisions two and downwards attract financial support, and what incentives were in place for companies that sponsor the premier league and division one,  and also to state when would the government provide financial support for such leagues to make them competitive. Ends