29 Mar 2017

Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Kefentse Mzwinila has encouraged the private sector to support the netball championship that will be the first world cup to be held in Botswana in July.
Speaking at the Brand Botswana  sponsorship and partnership launch recently, Mzwinila said the gesture was an example of true patriotism.
Therefore, he said it was the private sector support that the ministry bid for big sporting events, given that government alone could not afford to host such.
The 2017 Netball Youth World Cup, he said was the biggest sporting event Botswana had ever hosted and would attract 20 teams from all over the world and also see the International Netball Federation hosting its congress which would be attended by over 70 countries.
“We acknowledge and embrace the unifying factor of sports in this country, and we have all enjoyed the benefits and excitement that sport brings. We are excited by this opportunity because it will enable our girls to shine and exhibit the hidden talents in our youth, “he said.
Mzwinila said the event was also a perfect opportunity for the nation to show visitors the true Botswana experience in real life, adding that youth should be prepared to benefit from the world cup.
Brand Botswana sponsorship marked the second sponsor to Team Botswana following Debswana’s support of the team last week, a move the assistant minister said was commendable.
The organisation’s sponsorship comes at the right time after Botswana’s spectacular exhibition at the International Tourism Bourse in Germany, therefore Netball World Cup presented an impeccable opportunity for Brand Botswana to showcase Botswana as an investment destination of choice.
Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), acting chief executive officer, Meshack Tshekedi said sport remained one of the biggest elements the organisation used to brand the country, and the upcoming Youth Netball World Cup presented yet another opportunity for Botswana to showcase its hospitality to the world.
He said the country had remarkable sportsmen and women who had shown that the power and influence of sport was undeniable.
“These men and women have flown our flag high on international stages, and for that reason, we recognise the need to support and partner with the sporting fraternity to increase the awareness of the country brand through spots, “he said.
Over the years, he said athletes like Amantle Montsho, Nigel Amos, Vincent Crosbie, Khaya Groth, Naomi Ruele, Allister Walker and the National Under 20 Softball team that qualified for the World Cup, had branded Botswana through participation in sports and through their sporting prowess, put Botswana on the world map.
Furthermore, he said hosting international sporting events was invaluable for any country as it promoted sport development and brought attention to that particular country.
He said Botswana as an unknown country needed such events to increase brand awareness and recognition for her unique traits, noting that Botswana was in a fierce battle with other nations for Foreign Direct Investments, tourism and export markets, therefore events such as this provided a platform for increased recognition and confidence in Botswana’s ability to attract and host potential investors and tourists.
Botswana National Sports Commission chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng said it was imperative that more sponsors came on board given the benefits derived from associating with sport.
“The time is now for us to come together and ensure that we put our resources into sport, I have listened to a lot of sponsors putting excuses before they could explore the opportunities that exist. People talk about in-fights, bad brand and a lot of hindrances, to me it doesn’t make sense because when you are a corporate you know what you want, “he said. ENDS