He added that the company has contributed money for the extension of the National Stadium following its initial construction for the Independence Day celebrations in 1966. Debswana sponsored the development and training of the Diamond Zebras of 1997 (the Under-17 national football team). "It is well worth noting that a significant number of the current national football team are products of the Diamond Zebras," he told the audience that included the Minister for Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Kitso Mokaila, the Attorney General Athalia Molokomme, Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) chairperson, Dorcas Makgato-Malesu.
Sesinyi added that Debswana's squash facilities and training programmes at their various diamond mines produced a number of national players for both junior and senior leagues. At least one player from the Debswana programme Lefika Ragontse attained international ranking and played in the US. Besides squash and football, Debswana has also sponsored chess. Sesinyi said sponsorship of schools chess did not attract the traditional retail sector and that is why the company stepped in. "This has created a substantial following in schools, recognition by the Botswana National Sports Council and an improved academic performance particularly in subjects such as mathematics for those involved in chess," he revealed.
