Japanese company renews volleyball sponsorship

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Thursday October 14, 2010 00:00

Mikasa and BVF have signed a one year deal worth more than P200,000 to equip the national teams with volleyball kits. The package includes two sets of playing kit for each player, bags, balls and tracksuits.

Mikasa started sponsoring volleyball in 2007. The initial sponsorship deal expired last year.

Speaking at the new sponsorship launch on Monday, Mikasa's representative, Nick Wiltshiri said they were impressed with the achievements of the national teams and that is why they committed their support.

The sponsorship comes at a time when both the men and women's national teams are preparing for next year's All Africa Games and the 2012 Olympic qualifiers. BVF vice president-technical, Odisitse Keotsene commended Mikasa for its continued investment in volleyball. He said it is important for national teams to be properly dressed for competitions to motivate the players.

He said the association would have been forced to use funds from the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) to buy uniforms and equipment had it not been for Mikasa's sponsorship.

He said the national teams' play had improved although Botswana has not qualified for major tournaments since 2007.