01 Dec 2025

In a quest to develop sports in Ngamiland region, Transit Media Company has pledged to support Chanoga Soccer Tournament with P538 000 sponsorship for a five-year period (2025-2029).

To seal the deal, the company, which specialises in billboard advertising, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Chanoga Cultural Arts and Sport Organisation (CHASTO), which has been keeping the tournament alive since 2017 under difficult circumstances.

Speaking during the signing of the MOU, which would guide the duo’s partnership on Friday, managing director of Transit Media, Mr Gaobolae Phuthego appreciated that moment, which he stated represented much more than a financial commitment by his company.

The signing ceremony, he relayed, marked his return to the village that made him who he is and where his dream began. 

Mr Phuthego also said the signing of the agreement was the beginning of a legacy, a commitment to development and the youth. He noted that football was more than just a game but a unifier that teaches discipline, teamwork, ambition, and resilience. 

“For young people, it provides a positive alternative to the streets, to hopelessness, and to negative influences,” he said. Phuthego acknowledged efforts by CHASTO over the years.

He highlighted that the sponsorship was structured to grow the tournament over a five-year period. Most importantly, the organisation, he said, would be supporting a year-round football calendar from Easter to President’s Day, Independence holidays, and the festive season to ensure young people remain positively engaged throughout the year.

North West District Council chairman, Itumeleng Kelebetseng, appreciated efforts by the local business community towards the district development agenda.  

The private sector, he said, was key towards creating a thriving environment required for sustainable development projects and delivery of basic services to the communities.

However, he challenged participating teams to consider venturing into sustainable income-generating projects instead of wasting their monetary prize on alcohol and other things that do not add value to their lives.

“You should understand the primary objective of this challenge, which is to remove young people from the streets and instill discipline and teach valuable life skills.”

Chairperson of the tournament, Mokeresete appreciated the partnership, saying for many years, they had been struggling to secure a sponsorship.  

“I am confident to announce that our tournament will never be the same again starting this year, as we have found what we have been looking for. Initially, this tournament was open to all teams in the district, but we have decided to cater only to teams in Chanoga and its catchment areas,” he said. 

The event is also expected to promote sport tourism, thus showcasing Chanoga as a vibrant destination, attracting visitors, and boosting local tourism and the economy. ENDS