Premiership giants for Mayor Cup

Kabelo Boranabi | Wednesday June 21, 2017 17:00

Speaking at the launch, Gaborone city mayor, Kagiso Thutlwe said statistics showed that men were reluctant to test for HIV/AIDS hence they came up with an initiative of encouraging them to test by organising a football tournament.  “When I took over as the mayor in 2014, I said I wanted to be a different leader, to do something that will have a positive impact on the society. This is part of our 90/90 programme. 

We challenge men by bringing them together for a one-day tournament while they engage in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” he said.  Thutlwe also announced that they have partnered with the Botswana Football Association (BFA) and the association has granted the four teams permission to compete in the event. The director of HIV prevention at National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA), Joseph Kefas said sport, despite being a leisure or recreational activity, is very instrumental in helping to spread the message of the fight against HIV/AIDS.  

“We rally behind our people to get tested and take medication. Mayors and other political leaders are urged, by the international community, to play a role in the fight against the epidemic. I would like to applaud the GCC for this initiative. We want to say we contributed to the fight against AIDS and do things right for the next generation to emulate us,” he said. 

BFA chief executive officer, Ookeditse Malesu said the tournament would help the participating teams assess their players before the start of the new season.  “Partnerships such as this one take us a long way. Activities like this are every important to Botswana players as they would be able to show their talents.

It is also a charity event, it will help both the players and the needy out there,” he said. In an attempt to hype the event up, the organisers, Spotkick said they have come up with the Kasi To Kasi tournament, which starts this Saturday, where there are four select teams representing the townships of Gaborone. 

“We have requested the coaches of the teams that they use mostly players under the age of 23, who are not attached to any team. This would be a chance for them to showcase their talent and catch the eyes of the league teams,” Spotkick’s representative, Tshepo Molwane said. 

The draw for the tournament would be held in the coming weeks while the Kasi To Kasi final would be played before the tournament as a curtain raiser.