23 Oct 2025

Kanye has become the first beneficiary of Betway Cares Foundation’s ‘Building Neighbourhood Dreams’ initiative, through the construction of a P4.3 million sports field at Montshiwa grounds.

Speaking recently at the ground breaking ceremony of the project at Montshiwa grounds in Kanye, where Betway foundation announced its commitment to develop the Montshiwa sports grounds, the Minister of Sport and Art, Jacob Kelebeng said the pursuit of sporting and artistic excellence in communities such as Kanye had for a long time been hampered by lack of infrastructure. 

However, he said the narrative had begun to change for Kanye community. Minister Kelebeng said the ground-breaking marked a monumental step forward, that confirmed the power of public-private partnership in driving national development. 

The facility would comprise of among others, the expansion of ablutions, construction of pitch and track, guard room, tuck shop, and storeroom. The field would be powered by solar energy.

Minister Kelebeng said on behalf of the government, he extended his deepest, heartfelt gratitude to Betway for their contribution as it was not merely transactional, but a profound investment in the health, creativity and future success of the nation’s youth.

He said the development of the Montshiwa grounds was a long-awaited dream and as such the facility would be more than just bricks, mortar and turf but a sanctuary for talent, a hub for community wellness, and a launch pad for future champions.

He said the complex would provide structured training grounds for football and athletics, and a dedicated space for cultural expression and creative arts.

“It will allow us to identify and nurture raw talent right here at the grassroots level, ensuring that no potential star is missed due to lack of access to adequate facilities,” Kelebeng said.

The minister said crucially, the complex would serve as a protective space for the youths, offering them positive and productive alternatives to anti-social behaviours.  He said it would be an investment in building discipline, teamwork, confidence and community pride.

Minister Kelebeng said that the project required significant resources, and through Betway Cares Foundation unwavering commitment to corporate social responsibility, the company had stepped up to provide crucial capital towards the realisation of the Montshiwa sports grounds.

He said as part of building Neighbourhood Dreams Initiative, it was a testament to their faith towards the Kanye community.  Kelebeng said the figure represented not just money, but literally millions of opportunities for the young people of Kanye. 

“It represents jobs, sports leagues, performances and Olympic dreams,” he said.

The investment, Kelebeng said, would stimulate direct and indirect employment in Kanye such as local artists being engaged to paint the wall murals, thereby giving Montshiwa grounds a creative refresh. 

He also said it would empower Batswana through skills transfer, training and partnerships in the construction ecosystem, as well as contribute to broader economic diversification, especially into sports tourism.

The minister promised that the government was committed to ensuring the project would be executed with transparency, efficiency and the highest standards of quality. Furthermore, he urged Kanye residents to embrace the sports complex as well as to take ownership of its success, and ensure its maintenance for generations to come.

Betway Botswana managing director, Michelle France–Mabiletsa said Kanye was the first beneficiary of Betway’s initiative of Building Neighbourhood Dreams.  She said the initiative aimed to connect communities through recognising their local champions.

France–Mabiletsa said the initiative was not all about money by investing in the future. She said oftentimes the destination was seen first while forgetting the sacred truth of the journey, which was the stadium built from the dust.“Every monumental success, every record broken, and every medal won has its genesis in silence, obscurity and starts in the dust,” she said. 

She highlighted that dreams and perseverance of local champions such as Collen Kebinatshipi who recently brought home amazing records were worth noting.Furthermore, she said the goal was to see more of the champions across the nation’s various villages emerging from the initiative.

For his part the reigning World Champion in the 400 metres Kebinatshipi said it had long been his dream to see a state of the art sporting facility in his locality where he would be able to train as well as inspire other fellow aspiring athletes. 

“It will help ease transport struggles such as finances and travel distances to Lobatse sports stadium”, he said. ENDS