02 Mar 2014

A group of companies comprising Debswana, Nandos, Mascom, Western Union, Properties and Home and Apex have sponsored Gaborone Open International Karate championship with a total of P221 000.

This was announced during the launch of the sponsorship on February 27. Debswana has contributed P75 000, Nandos P56 000, Mascom P50 000, Western Union funded with P25 000, Properties and Home P10 000 and Apex with P5 000.

Speaking on behalf the sponsors during the launch, head of loss prevention at Debswana, Eunice Mpoloka said Debswana had decided to join other sponsors to support the championship. She also commended the association for hosting the past three editions of the championship.

“We sponsor sporting codes such as Karate as part of our corporate social investment of which sports development is the main focus,” she said. Mpoloka said they were interested in Karate because it was considered a less popular sport in comparison to sporting codes such as football.

Hayashi- Ha executive, Fatema Khan thanked the sponsors for their generous gesture towards karate. She said the sponsorship would make the tournament a success. Also during the event, blue belt karateka Gae Van Rudolf and black belt karateka Mohammed Hussain displayed their skills with a Kata demonstration.

Hussain is part of the national team which will represent Botswana at the 11th All Africa games Congo Brazzaville 2015. One of the tournament organisers, Shihan Mpho Bakwadi said the boys have a potential to reach the level of Khaya Groth and others who have done the country proud.

He also appreciated the sponsors for their continued support in sports more especially karate. The Gaborone Open Karate championships will be held at Al Nur English Medium School hall in Gaborone on March 15, 2014 from 8am until late. ENDS