Endorsement boost for table tennis star
Thato Kala | Wednesday October 22, 2014 15:15
Butterfly is a Germany table tennis merchandise company. It will sponsor Botswana’s most decorated female ping pong ace through its Botswana distributor, Matshidiso Osi Sporting Equipment (MOSE).
Butterfly is the official sponsor of the Canadian and Ontario Table Tennis Associations. The company has already given Butale equipment worth P6,000. The package includes tracksuits, branded t-shirts with her name at the back, shorts, socks, towels, two bags, tenergy rubbers, butterfly water bottle, latest butterfly shoes and a double-sided pouch. The name tenergy is used to differentiate Butterfly’s new generation rubber that are said to have a good element of control, high speed and spin. An expert said: “Players who play with them have a bit of edge over those who don’t”. The deal allows Butale the luxury to have her equipment replaced regularly, especially rubbers, to suit her preferred style of play for any particular tournament.
MOSE spokesperson, Tshepo ‘Dot’ Magetse said the Botswana table tennis market has been loyal to their cause and the endorsement was a way of giving back. “We found it fit to show our appreciation by endorsing Botswana’s longest number one in the history of the sport. Butale represents what we stand for as we aspire to be the best sporting equipment in the country and across Africa. We believe with her as our brand ambassador, we will be able to achieve that in the near future,” Magetse told Mmegi Sport. MOSE is a company, founded by Matshidiso Osi, a retired national team player. It supplies and distributes table tennis apparel, equipment, accessories and high tech training devices.
The company already supplies sports equipment in neighbouring South Africa and Namibia. Plans are underway to sponsor two Under-17 athletes - male and female- who will participate in the youth games set for Cape Town, South Africa next December. “This is our way of inspiring them to work hard and reach greater heights as Butale has done,” said Magetse. Butale said the deal had lifted her spirits and is testimony that hard work pays off.
“I’m very excited about the Butterfly deal. It has always been my dream to wear big brands like Butterfly and to me the brand means ‘I have what it takes to fly higher’,” she said. The Smash Maniacs and national team star has dominated the local game for the last eight years.
The deal comes at the most challenging time of her sporting career after moving to Mabeleapodi due to work commitments. Initially, she feared the move spelt the end of her tennis career. “But I still did my best and managed to retain my number one spot without the same amount of training I was doing before moving. Passion has been the driving force for me.” She believes the Butterfly endorsement will go a long way to inspire her club mates and the school team she coaches.