The local gambling company is the premier sponsor of the Masa Easter Cup to be held in Maun at the Masa Horse Track on April 19. This becomes the largest sponsorship package for a one-day horse racing event locally. Speaking at the sponsorship unveiling in Gaborone on Thursday, Sunbet's product specialist, Venal Naidoo, said the gambling company was motivated by the impact of sport and horse racing on local soil. He said the sport impacts the competitors, the horses and the community of the racing event. "This is not just sponsoring an event, it is about investing in a sport that brings people together in a spirit of unity. For Sunbet Botswana, the sponsorship is not only about expanding our presence but it is about embracing the heart and soul of horse racing in Botswana. Our mission is to bring excitement and innovation to the people of Botswana, and what a better way to do that with a sport that has cultivated people and that has brought people together for centuries all over the world," Naidoo said.
For his part, the Masa Easter Cup organiser, Tico Otukile, revealed they have received entries locally, South Africa, Namibia, and Lesotho. He said there are only two categories at this year's edition of the race being the Tswana and thorough breeds. However cross breeds will not be allowed. He said thus far, the Masa Easter Cup has received 155 entries with Namibia having the highest number of entrants. Sunbet Botswana's retail manager, Chicco Mashale, revealed at the unveiling that there will be live betting before and during the course of the race. Horse race betting made its debut in Motokwe Horse Race late last year. However, it was only online betting and this time, Sunbet has introduced retail betting at the Masa Easter Cup. "We are going to allow betting both online and retail betting. The reason why we are having both of them is that we want to access people both online and physically. We want to cater for both who will be there at the race and who will not be, so that they can comfortably be part of the race from their respective places," said Mashale.
