07 Sep 2017

Botswana Premier League (BPL) on Wednesday announced a new three-year sponsorship deal with Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) worth P39 million.

The agreement will see BTC bankroll the local top flight league with P13 million every season until the 2019/20 season. However, the cash prize for the champions will remain unchanged at P1 million.

The agreement also continues a long standing relationship between the league and BTC which started in 2008 when BTC replaced Mascom as sponsors of the league.

Speaking during the launch of the sponsorship at GICC, BPL board chairperson, Rapula Okaile expressed excitement about the new development.

“We are very much humbled, not only humbled we are very excited. What we need to promise you at this juncture is a very good run for your money because all the teams are prepared to make a run. I will promise you that you should not expect anything less than a very exciting season,” Okaile said.

He was grateful that grants for the teams will increase under the new sponsorship.

He said the increase of grants will help teams to prepare well for matches and become more competitive on the pitch.

“We are very much aware of the fact that the sponsor has recognised the fact that for us to recognise the champions, we have to attend the games. For us (teams) to attend the games we must have something to transport players with and to pay players. The issue of grants is something that makes us to be able to participate,” he said.

Meanwhile, the league will be launched on September 23 with a match between league champions Township Rollers and newly promoted Tafic at Francistown Sports Complex.

BTC head of product marketing, Pilot Yane said the sponsorship is a sign of the company’s continued commitment to football in Botswana.

Yane said the commitment has resulted with improvement in the quality of football played by BTC Premiership teams.

“For the past nine years, BTC has been a steadfast partner of Botswana Football Association and Botswana Premier League. Ours has been a significant partnership that has seen the growth and development of local football,” he said.

He added that as part of the new sponsorship, BTC will also sponsor a BTC Charity Cup.

He said full details of the charity cup will be communicated later. BOPA