03 Nov 2016

Assistant Minister of Basic Education, Moiseraele Goya has commended Copa Coca-cola for ensuring that football is accessible to every child at an early age.

Speaking at the Copa Coca-Cola 2016 awards in Gaborone, Goya said the “Copa Coca-Cola programme is a welcome move which seeks to strengthen the delivery of an integrated physical education and school sports programmes.”

He said government created a curriculum that addressed students’ academic and physical development.

“My government has relentlessly pursued the principles of United Nations Convention on the rights of a child,” he said.

He quoted the United Nations child rights pillar, which articulates that all children are equal and share the same rights and that every child has the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities.

The assistant minister said under the Copa Coca-Cola grass roots development, the medium of sports would be used to share explicit and salient life skills messages with children.

He said the strategy would help children to tackle socio and economic barriers, a move highly appreciated by his ministry.

Furthermore, Goya said by using well-structured and intense life skills messages which relate with sports training, children would be best equipped with knowledge and confidence to survive and grow.

Goya stated that Copa Coca-Cola had over the last three years helped government achieve their objective of furnishing children without spending a fortune.

He said due to their challenges on financing BISA activities, the sponsorship package had therefore presented itself as a short in the arm for the ministry.

“When this tripartite arrangement was started, three years ago, it was meant to embrace the power of sport to support the growth and development of boys and girls,” he said.

He explained that to this day, over 60 000 boys and girls in all BISA regions had been reached by the programme thus influencing positive refocusing of their minds.

For his part, director of KBL, Sesupo Wagamang said ‘Copa Coca-Cola is not just about winning but it is an opportunity for teens to pursue their football dreams.’

“It is so satisfying to see teenagers from all corners of Botswana coming together to enjoy the game,” explained Wagamang.

He said this emphasised the power of football in bringing people together and in breaking down boundaries and barriers.

Wagamang said, “Now Botswana is one of over 70 countries participating in the grassroots soccer programs sponsored by the world’s biggest brand Coca Cola.” He applauded the media for a role they played in supporting the tournament; which through their coverage have assisted to carry a word to the nation about their dedication and commitment in changing lives.  ENDS