BRU Close In On Sponsorship Deal
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday February 27, 2017 16:21
The new sponsorship deal will see league winners pocket prize money, with P35,000 budgeted for winners in the various leagues. BRU president, Dave Gilbert told delegates at the union’s annual general meeting (AGM) in Gaborone that they are in the final phases of negotiations with four sponsors.
The development comes at a time when rugby has been struggling to secure league sponsorship for many years. Gilbert said they are hopeful the agreements will be signed by the end of March. “This will be positive in driving rugby forward and will grow participation country wide. There will be prize money for the league winners for men and women.
We have P35,000 put aside for that, which will be split accordingly to the winners,” he said. Gilbert said the actual amounts to each winner will be announced along with the sponsors’ names for the codes and leagues. He said with the presence of sponsors, the BRU would be able to increase personnel at the playing fields and secretariat. He added that the funding will assist in the development in schools and clubs through skills transfer.
Meanwhile, the president told the affiliates that when they assumed office, the BRU was bankrupt and the union owed P400,000 to various creditors.
“The union has battled through tough times financially but has prevailed due to prudent budgeting and controlling measures. We still have outstanding balances,” Gilbert said. He mentioned that the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) grant was cut to P765,000, adding that in 2008 they were allocated P1.1 million. He said the union received a grant of 35, 000 Pounds Sterling from the World Rugby. Gilbert said the funds were not enough to run their activities.
Meanwhile, the meeting agreed to reject the financial report presented by the treasurer, Vincent Mashaya. The affiliates accused Mashaya of presenting a poor report, which was not detailed and did not have figures. Reacting to the complaints, Mashaya said he received the report late from the auditor. For his part, Gilbert admitted that the report was full of mistakes.
“The report is full of mistakes and we are in the process of meeting with the auditor. It is inaccurate with figures that do not make sense. We cannot circulate it to you right now. We can only agree to discuss the financial report in another meeting that we will call in June,” he said.
Gilbert added that they intend parting ways with the auditing firm. The members resolved that the financial report should be deferred to the next meeting.