Motor Centre, BONA Renew Ties

By Mosah Mokganedi
Correspondent | Monday June 2, 2008 00:00

 

The car giant abandoned the 'matrimonial home' last year when they announced that they would be sponsoring the league for the last time but it seems the union was too sweet to forget. However, whether it is death that will separate the two still remains to be seen. The league is expected to kick off over the weekend in both south and north regions.

Accepting the package at the league launch last week, BONA president Tebogo Setlalekgosi observed that the reason Motor Centre continues to support them is because they are doing the right thing. 'Whatever it is that we are doing right I urge all of us to keep it up,' she said. She commended Motor Centre for supporting not only netball but other codes as well and promised them an exciting season. Setlalekgosi also observed that netball, as a young sport, is aspiring to grow and that they have appointed a task force to spearhead its growth. The force is tasked with finding ways of branding the game. Setlalekgosi further implored fellow netballers to find ways of diversifying the sport. She applauded teams like Notwane that have come up with new initiatives like HIV/AIDS youth games. 'It is such initiatives that can make us a preferred sport by sponsors,' she said.

Motor Centre group managing director Yusuf Dada explained that their continued support for netball is a manifestation of the many 'good things happening between partners'. We are very proud to participate in one way or the other in a sport that is especially dominated by women,' Dada said.

He continued to explain that sport is very crucial especially in this era of HIV/AIDS as it keeps young people away from mischief. Dada challenged BONA to spread its wings to more areas so that they can increase their mileage.

He also gave them a pat on the back for handling their affairs professionally and holding an indaba to map the way forward when they realised that their boat was sinking. BONA recently held an indaba in Tlokweng to find ways of revamping its activities.

Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) additional member Nomsa Mbere echoed Dada's sentiments, saying it is not common for sport codes to accept their challenges as netball has done. Mbere thanked Motor Centre for continuing to support netball 'at a time when finding financial supporters is a headache'.

She also encouraged more firms in Botswana to emulate the company. She expressed hope that the sponsorship will continue to grow and urged the company to consider long-term contracts.