Clubs vow to protect renewed Debswana deal
Koketso Kgoboge | Wednesday July 27, 2016 11:20
FDN secretary general, Rapula Gaotlhobogwe said it is a relief that the diamond mining company renewed the sponsorship despite bad publicity and mismanagement that surrounded the past sponsorship.
The deal is worth P6million over three seasons.
He said they were among the officials called to meet the sponsor and were informed of how to protect the relationship.
“We are excited to have managed to retain the sponsorship. We were called to meet the sponsor (Debswana) and they highlighted their concerns in the past sponsorship and their expectations and we are now in a good position going forward,” he said.
“Apart from what happened off the field, this sponsorship has sustained our league and it is because of the sponsor that all the fixtures were played and the league ran smoothly and finished well on time. We must also admit that competition grew and the level of play also improved,” he added. He said they have learnt from the past and they are in a better position to protect the image of the sponsor. “It is imperative that we understand how to handle matters which adversely affects our sponsors,” Gaotlhobogwe said.
“We must guard against bad publicity that might drag in the mud the goodwill of this institution that has chosen to assist us and we must know that it can be diverted to assist others if we don’t safeguard it,” he said.
Gaotlhobogwe further said even though the sponsorship has proved insufficient in the past, adjustments could be made to make the best out of it.
“One basic thing is we must have an office as the first division. We have been separated but now we need the north and south to come up with a plan of working together and harmonise our plans so that we can benefit in bargaining together, ensure we speak with the same voice and solve problems together,” he advised.
Meanwhile, Rapula said they have plans in the pipeline for a future vibrant and younger first division. He said they are embarking on engaging clubs to see how they can help each other utilise Botswana Primary Schools Sport Association, Botswana Integrated Sport Association and other developmental structures’ products.