Botswana Games preps gain traction
Naledi Lemogang | Thursday November 2, 2017 11:04
Speaking at the launch yesterday, Games’ patron, Tiny Kgatlwane said the aim is to attract sponsors to ensure the success of the tournament. Kgatlwane said they are chasing a number of deals with potential sponsors.
She appealed to various stakeholders to come on board and support the games. “We are working on finalising some of the sponsorships we have proposed and also appealing to other stakeholders for additional funds because our objective is to host successful games,” Kgatlwane said.
She said the games are meant to unearth sport talent in Botswana as they target athletes under 19 years.
The Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Thapelo Olopeng said the games are a precursor to the African Union Sport Council Region V Under-20 Youth Games, which Botswana hosts next year. Olopeng said as such, there is a need to ensure the success of the Botswana Games. He urged young athletes to make use of the opportunity afforded by the games, as sport is now viewed as a rewarding career.
“In order to ensure the success of the games, we have appointed Kgatlwane as the patron with duties to provide strategic linkages between the stakeholders, the BNSC and the society.
This role is in line with the objectives of the games and will ensure the widest possible public exposure to the games,” Olopeng said. He added that the games are fully funded by the government and the private sector is supporting them.
Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng said the objectives of the games are to discover talent in all the 16 districts of Botswana.
“We also use these games as a selection forum and preparing athletes for international sporting events such as AUSC Region 5 Under-20 Games and Africa games,” Reikeletseng said
“I would like, on behalf of the BNSC, to thank the government for funding these particular games to allow us to drive our mandate in sports.”