Mascom, volleyball affair ends

Calistus Kolantsho | Friday April 12, 2019 12:35

 

Mascom has been the title sponsor of the national volleyball league, but after failing to reach an agreement, BVF is now looking elsewhere.

BVF vice president-administration, Ndibo Lebala told Mmegi Sport that they tried many times to secure sponsorship with the telcom giants without any luck. “We tried our best but we failed. So we gave up on them. Negotiations are at an advanced stage with another potential sponsor. The way things are going we expect the league to be launched next month,” he said. Mascom chief communications and public relations officer, Tebogo Lebotse-Sebego said last year they made it clear that they were not renewing the sponsorship for 2019.

Meanwhile, the long awaited BVF congress will be held tomorrow at Oasis motel in Tlokweng. The congress was postponed twice last year.

“The congress is very important but we could not hold it last year because financial reports were not complete. We had to compile all the information because funds come from different sources and it takes a longer time to receive information,” Lebala said.

He said some of the items that would be discussed at the congress include major competitions, particularly the league. “We are also going to look at the national team activities. If things go our way, we intend to send the team for training in Slovakia,” he said.

However, clubs are of the view that the most important item on the agenda should be the league sponsorship. “We want to know when the league would start. We are busy training but just light sessions because we do not know what is happening or when the league would start,” Kutlwano coach, Isaac Samuel said. Samuel said volleyball was in a difficult position due to lack of proper planning. He said volleyball leadership could have planned for this season last year.

“They wait to do things at the last minute and it is always a challenge to meet deadlines,” he said. Prisons coach, Kealeboga Pebe said they expect the congress to focus on coming up with answers on the way forward for volleyball.

“Volleyball is going up and down and sponsors are deserting. Clubs are wondering what is going on. Are we not able to satisfy sponsors?” he wondered. Pebe said last year, JB Sports and Capital BMW tournaments were not played. He said it is only fair that clubs are informed of what happened to the two sponsorships, as their absence affects the quality of the league.