11 Sep 2016

Debswana diamond mining company has re-newed its sponsorship deal with first division league. 

The company announced on Thursday (September 8)  the P6 million sponsorship that would be disbursed in three instalments of P2 million per season.

Chairperson of Debswana board and also Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP), Carter Morupisi, said football contributed to the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) and job creation.

Morupisi said sport had ability to create good character in individuals especially amongst the youth. 

Sport, he said, instilled  discipline and contributed to an individual’s physical fitness. 

Furthermore, he said Debswana’s support to the first division league touched the lives of approximately 550 individuals who participated as players and many of those who provided other services such as transport and food.

“These young people will be occupied in training and playing, thus escape from possible juvenile delinquency. Through this sponsorship, they will also earn a living and hopefully have their livelihoods transformed sustainably,” he said.

The PSP said “long gone are the days when sport was viewed as just for whiling away time, given that today, football has a key role to play in both the leisure and economic spheres of lives.”He said this was so because many people across the country spend their time on weekends watching football as a form of leisure and entertainment.

“This can only be good for them because as human beings we need time for work and time for relaxation; this is what makes us holistic beings,” he said. 

Morupisi said Debswana board and management would like to see the establishment of robust governance structures to run both the south and north leagues. 

For his part, Debswana managing director, Balisi Bonyongo encouraged Botswana Football Association (BFA) to vigorously develop the league infrastructure, coaching, referee and overall playing talent in order to ensure visibility and strengthen the first division league brand.He said a vibrant and visible first division league brand would attract and retain potential sponsors, increase spectator numbers and gate takings which could be ploughed back into football development. 

“BFA must continue to develop the FDL brand into a successful brand as all of us want to be associated with success,” he said.

Bonyongo said as Debswana, they were happy to continue their relationship with BFA on the First Division League, adding their excitement came from the fact that their sponsorship of the league continued to make a positive impact in football across the country.

“This is in line with our purpose as Debswana to turn diamond dreams into lasting reality; we see our association today with the BFA and the FDL as another vehicle through which we can do that,” he said.

BFA president, Maclean Letshwiti thanked Debswana for their gesture, adding that they have over the years, demonstrated commitment and support to sport development in Botswana. 

 “Football has been long standing beneficiary of Debswana’s benevolence and that’s a clear indication of a company that has an extremely bias in investing in development,” he said. ENDS