13 Feb 2019

Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) corporate communications manager Kago Mmopi says the company is committed to addressing challenges faced by the physically challenged through ensuring that the principle of inclusion cascade to the rest of the society.

Mmopi said DTCB was aware of their challenges especially in sporting activities.

He said this during the presentation of a cheque worth over P300 000 to Botswana Deaf Sport Federation (BDSF). The funds will be used to cover the first National Deaf Sports Games 2019 to be held in Gaborone from February 23-24.

Even though the company was mandated with maintaining profitable business environment, he said it also focused on enhancing its reputation and the well-being of the society.

Mmopi said DTCB was proud to be associated with BDSF adding that the federation netball team were crowned the champions of first 2017 South Africa/Botswana Netball Championship held in Bloemfontein in September 2017.

He said it was an achievement, which showed commitment from both athletes and officials towards the development of sport for people with hearing impairment.

Mmopi said statistically, one out of every 1 000 babies born in the world had hearing impairment. In Botswana, he said approximately 20 000 people had hearing impairment.

Acknowledging the sponsor, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Kago Ramokate said the partnership was a landmark in sport for people living with disabilities adding that the support offered by private entities ensured the growth of sport in the country.

Ramokate said BDSF was mandated to promote sport for people with hearing impairment in the country.

He added that the sponsorship would plant a seed that would help other people with hearing impairment to partake in the games.

He said the ministry was mandated to develop sport in the country adding that BDSF had ensured increased participation of the physically challenged individuals.

BDSF president Shirley Keoagile expressed gratitude that people with hearing impairment would pursue their dreams in sporting activities.

Keoagile said the sponsorship was not about the money but an opportunity for people with hearing impairment to participate in sport like other able-bodied people.

“I am urging you to support disability sport not to feel sorry for us,” she added.

Keoagile said people with hearing impairment were challenged since they did not get enough exposure in sporting activities adding that sport and disability made it hard to get sponsorship.

BDSF is affiliated to Paralympic Association of Botswana, Confederation of African Deaf Sports and International Committee of Sport for the Deaf. Currently, it participate in sporting codes such as netball, athletics, football, volleyball, karate and chess. ENDS