24 Mar 2019

Assistant Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Fidelis Molao has applauded Botswana Tertiary Student Sports Association (BOTESSA) for including students with special needs in this year’s competitions.

Giving a keynote address at the First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB) and BOTESSA sports competitions in Francistown over the weekend, Molao said it would go a long way to show “your sports development for all commitment in this country.”

He further said the central pledge of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development was the aspiration of “leaving no one behind.”  The minister explained that the agenda was relevant to all countries and all people, and that it refered to the need to include everyone in society regardless of their age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity and economic and migrant status.

He also applauded the sponsors of the competitions for their efforts of producing elite athletes to raise the country’s flag high in regional and international competitions.   

Molao, who is also the MP for Shashe West, said government was continuing with its efforts to invest in youth development programmes, especially in sports.  “I therefore encourage all the institutions to continue supporting student’s sports activities,” said Molao.

He said FNBB has continued to support BOTESSA competitions, including sponsoring the BOTESSA/CUCSA games last year. He also noted that  his ministry funded the competitions to the tune of P3 million. Molao said his ministry encouraged sports in tertiary education institutions as a means of recreation, keeping fit, improving academics, enhancing leadership skills as well as increasing one’s potential for the future. He said government was elated at the news of the three-year sponsorship with FNBB which was recently launched, saying partnerships were important and that it was critical that BOTESSA prudently managed sponsorships awarded by companies such as FNBB.

“This is an investment of great significance and I trust that BOTESSA will rise up to the occasion and account for every thebe handed over by FNBB. Accountability of this form can attract even more sponsors. It is at the onus of BOTESSA to partner with the private sector for the growth of your organisation,” he added.

Molao further explained that it was through BOTESSA that Batswana coud change the landscape of sports by producing quality athletes from tertiary institutions to benefit the national teams.

In his welcome remarks, deputy mayor of Francistown, Godisang Radisigo said more and more people were beginning to make a living out of sport.

He explained that competitions such as FNBB/BOTESSA were critical in identifying talent in sports.
Radisigo thanked FNBB for supporting sports development and encouraged other companies to emulate the bank because government alone could not afford to sponsor sport.

FNBB Francistown branch manager, Lucky Bogopa said it was a pleasure for FNBB to be part of BOTESSA 2019 championships, and that the event was one of the many the bank would continue to sponsor in its journey with BOTESSA.

He said last month FNBB joined the first ever BOTESSA awards to recognise hard work and excellence for the 2018 athletes championship games, and that this year in June FNBB would be hosting the first marathon in Maun.

Bogopa said to FNBB these were not just events, but a way in which the bank made a difference in youth and sports development to benefit communities.

He said when FNBB entered into the partnership a year ago, the bank wanted to develop the youth by helping them build confidence through the powerful platform of sport and empower them to attain recognition in the international stage.

Athletes who participated in this year’s competitions have the opportunity to qualify for the FISU games that will be held in Lazio, Italy. ENDS