05 Aug 2025

As Botswana prepares to host the World Relays next year, Halfway Toyota Motors has eased the local organising committee’s burden by donating two vehicles, a Toyota Fortuner and Toyota Starlet.

The company has also donated a bus which will be handed in September to the Committee. Speaking at the hand over on Monday, Botswana National Sports Commission(BNSC) chairperson, Marumo Morule said sponsorship was the lifeblood of any major sporting event. He said the country was hosting a global event that would bring together top athletes from around the world.

“We therefore need the support of partners like Halfway Toyota to make it a success. Partnerships of this nature are what we need as a matter of urgency because time is not on our side,” he said. “The sports sector in Botswana is abuzz with excitement about the relays, just a few days ago, the Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, officially launched the Local Organising Committee (LOC), and today’s announcement is a perfect follow-up to that milestone,” Morula added.

He said the sponsorship showed that their efforts were yielding results, a clear indication that they were one step closer to delivering a world-class event. Morule said it was therefore, important also for the LOC continue to work tirelessly to secure more sponsorships and partnerships to supplement the government’s support.

“With partners like Halfway Toyota on board, we are confident that we will deliver an unforgettable experience for athletes, officials, and spectators alike,” he said.

Halfway Toyota Motors Group chief executive officer, Riaan Grobler said as a company they were happy to be part of the World Relays Gaborone 2016, to be hosted in May. He said the World Relays, were the third biggest athletics event in the World after the Olympics and World Championships. He said it was the first time ever in the history that the competition would be held in African soil, adding that alone meant Botswana should deliver a world class event.

“We also have to show the world and Africa that as Botswana we can host even bigger competitions in the future,” Grobler said.

Furthermore, he said President Advocate Duma Boko had pleaded with companies to be part of the Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). Grobler said the PPP was critical for the growth of the economy, hence as Halfway Toyota Motors, they found it fit to answer the President’s call.

“Therefore, this is our small contribution to take this country forward, I don’t think it is a secret that we currently find ourselves in a tight spot, but there is always a ray of light, and this event is our hope,” he said.

Meanwhile the world sporting spectacle is expected to attract the world’s best athletes and tourists across the globe.  Botswana is the game’s maiden host in Africa. ENDS