13 Apr 2026

First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) has been announced as the Botswana Golden Grand Prix title sponsor after injecting P6 million sponsorship.

The event, which has been relegated to silver status, will be held at the National Stadium on April 26.

Speaking at the sponsorship launch on April13, Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng said FNBB’s investment was not only financial, but an expression of confidence in the talent, ambition and potential of Batswana.

Kelebeng said partnerships of such nature did a lot to anchor sport, strengthened its credibility and gave it room to grow.

“For us as government, this partnership reinforces our mission to develop sport as a pathway for opportunity, pride and national progress. For the organisers, it provides the foundation required to deliver an event that meets global standards. For the nation, it is a moment to rally behind a project that unites us and showcases our capabilities to the world,” he said.

He further said the FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix would serve as a test event for the World Athletics Relays, which Botswana would host on May 2-3.

Kelebeng said the event provided an opportunity to demonstrate Botswana’s readiness to deliver world class events with excellence and professionalism.

Beyond the track, he said the effects of the Grand Prix extended into the broader economy, because hosting an event of this magnitude stimulated economic activity, created opportunities for local businesses and boosted sectors such as tourism, hospitality, creative industries, transport and services.

He added that ordinary Batswana would benefit, directly and indirectly, from the success of the event, which affirmated that sport was not only about medals but also served as a driver of development.

FNBB chief executive officer, Steven Bogatsu said Botswana was living through a defining sporting era as athletes had changed how the world viewed the country.

He said they had shown that excellence could rise from schools, communities and national discipline, and athletes had also given young people something of priceless proof that global greatness could wear Botswana's colours.

In that regard, Bogatsu said FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix was one of the clearest expressions of the new era.

“Under the leadership of Glody Dube and with the commitment of partners across the sporting ecosystem, this event has grown into far more than a competition,” he said.

Bogatsu said the event was now a platform of national significance, as it told the world that Botswana could convene elite sport, inspire local talent and convert athletic excellence into broader economic and social value.

Furthermore, he said it demonstrated that the nation could host with confidence, organise with professionalism and compete with credibility. ENDS