First Division soccer gets sponsorship

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Thursday January 22, 2009 00:00

He said he would only reveal more information about the sponsorship at an appropriate time. The chairman of the First Division South, Charles Chilisa said he could not reveal the name of the sponsor because it could jeopardise the deal.

He said the sponsorship covers the second round and the whole of next season. Chilisa said it is good news to acquire sponsorship after two seasons without one.

The last sponsor of the First Division was Med-Rescue International. Initially, the First Division was sponsored by Motor Centre. The clubs which were mostly affected by the lack of sponsorship were those in the north because they had to travel long distances for games.   

Without sponsorship, the First Division clubs relied on donations from the business community and contributions from members and officials to make ends meet.

An official of one of the First Division teams in the North, said every time they have to play away games, they had to ask for donations.

The First Division especially in the south do not make much from gate charges. Clubs in the south like Kumakwane Checkers had a hard time because they were playing their home games in Gaborone.

This meant that they had to raise funds every weekend for games. 

Checkers might only play in Kumakwane during the second round after their ground has been approved by the BFA. Meanwhile, the First Division South games kick-off in the last weekend of this month after the Christmas break. 

Chilisa said they had postponed the kick-off to launch the sponsorship.