Boteti Region Pre-Season Cup Sponsored To P135,000
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday September 24, 2018 13:34
Debswana sponsored the cup to a P98,000 at its inception last year. This year the diamond mine increased their sponsorship to a P100,000.
Kanu Equipment that does business at the mine complemented Debswana with a P35,000 to support the regional association.
A total of 17 football teams, five of women and 12 division one men’s teams compete in the cup. The teams have gone through the group stages and the semi-finals and the grand finale will be held during the Independence Day at Letlhakane Stadium.
The winners of the men’s teams walk away P12,000 richer, with a none-floating Trophy, gold medals and a kit. Runners-up get a P5,500, medals and a kit, and the semi-finalists get P3,500.The women winners will be rewarded with a P5,000, none-floating trophy, gold medals and kit. Runners-up will win P3,000, medals and a kit. The rest of the teams knocked out in different stages walk out with a consolation P1,000 prize each.
The regional chairperson, Phillimon Bunu said the objectives are to drive equal development for women and men football clubs that would represent the region in different levels of local leagues.
He said it has been a while since his region promoted a team to the first division league and by empowering the regional clubs, they intend to realise their dream of succeeding in the block promotions.
“This gives our teams an opportunity to measure their pre-season preparations. The competition is impressive in this cup and we anticipate that it will go a long way in giving our teams a nudge in our block and hopefully promote a side to division one,” he said.
Bunu acknowledged the sponsorship and pleaded with the teams to compete clean to attract more sponsors.
“Our target next year is P200,000 and that is attainable if we support our teams in large numbers, play peacefully, respect each other and let competition define our tournament.”
An elder from the region, Wire Bogotso who stood to represent the teams also acknowledged the diamond-mining magnates and their counterparts Kanu Equipment.
He said the tournament shapes the momentum of the league and assists other teams that could have not performed well to get back and redraw their strategy.
“I wish the sponsorship could extend to our league. We would have a very smooth and competitive season. The games have been tough and the refereeing was on point.
“We are thankful to the sponsors and we hope to see others coming on board,” he said.
Block representative, Maokaneng Bontshetse commended Bunu and his team for the rare feat of securing sponsors for a preseason cup.
He said the ball is now in the clubs’ court to ensure they retain the sponsorship.
He encouraged the clubs to bring supporters on board. “If there is one key stakeholder that our clubs overlook, it is the supporters. But supporters bring excitement that the sponsors are looking for and I encourage club leaders to ensure the supporters are on board,” he said, also advising that all the stakeholders in the region should collectively ensure that there are no regrets on the sponsors’ part.