25 Mar 2026

Debswana has been unveiled as World Athletics Relays title sponsor after announcing a P16 million funding. 

 

The financial support saw the event changing the name to Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26. Debswana, the country’s main player in diamond trade, has over the years, been the engine that drives the country’s economy, enabling it to attain middle income economy.

 

Speaking at the sponsorship launch on Tuesday, Debswana chief executive officer Andrew Motsomi said through the partnership, Debswana aimed to utilise the platform to revive the diamond market.

 

Motsomi said the aim was to promote the natural diamond story to the world, highlighting the critical role diamonds played in transforming lives, supporting communities and driving sustainable economic growth in Botswana. He said the partnership represented a powerful opportunity to amplify Debswana’s global brand presence.

 

Motsomi said as the world turned its attention to Gaborone, the moment would be leveraged to tell the authentic and compelling story of natural diamonds, a story rooted in positive impact, sustainability and national development.

 

Furthermore, he said the sponsorship aligned with Debswana’s broader brand and national storytelling objectives, particularly in advancing Botswana’s visibility on the global stage and reinforcing the value proposition of natural diamonds in an evolving luxury market.

 

He said the World Athletics Relays were expected to attract approximately 1,735 athletes and officials, alongside hundreds of technical personnel, volunteers and thousands of international visitors.

 

According to the World Relays, he said the event would deliver an unprecedented global exposure, with over one billion online impressions, coverage by more than 150 international broadcasters and participation from over 120 accredited international journalists and photographers.

 

“The event programme will feature world-class relay competitions, including the men’s and women’s 4x100m, 4x400m, and mixed relay events and is expected to attract top athletes from around the world,” he said.

 

Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng said Debswana’s extraordinary contribution was a bold expression of confidence in Botswana’s future and in the transformative power of sport. He said it reflected Debswana’s longstanding commitment to national development, excellence and responsible partnership.

 

“It is a clear demonstration that when Botswana rises, we rise together. As a result of this landmark sponsorship, this global event will now proudly bear the Debswana name, an enduring symbol of our nation’s resilience, ingenuity and progress,” he said.

 

Kelebeng said the naming rights partnership firmly positioned Debswana at the centre of what promised to be one of the most successful relay events in the history of the competition. 

 

“The event programme will feature world-class relay competitions, including the men’s and women’s 4x100m, 4x400m, and mixed relay events, and is expected to attract top athletes from around the world,” he said.

 

Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng said Debswana extraordinary contribution was a bold expression of confidence in Botswana’s future, and in the transformative power of sport. He said it reflects Debswana’s longstanding commitment to national development, excellence and responsible partnership.

 

“It is a clear demonstration that when Botswana rises, we rise together. As a result of this landmark sponsorship, this global event will now proudly bear the Debswana name. BOPA