Gaborone — Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) is yet to get a sponsor for the league though the competition has already kicked-off.

BVF vice president in charge of technical affairs, Waboraro Mokgatla said they are still in negotiations with a potential sponsor and they hope to seal a deal before the end of the league.

He said they started the competition without sponsorship after they got the green-light from the clubs. He said a long break in the league programme affects the game. For the past four years, volleyball did not have a league because of lack of sponsors. The BVF decided to keep clubs busy by organising tournaments. Mokgatla said the selection of the national team was based on history since tournaments are too short to monitor players fully. "We believe companies will realise our efforts and come to our rescue," Mokgatla said.

BVF lost both Kgalagadi Breweries and Mascom as sponsors in 2005. Mokgatla said they have learnt vital lessons and will explore new ways of luring sponsors. Volleyball is one of the most followed games in the country. It has since experienced a decline due to the fact that the league has not been played for long because there is no sponsor.

The long lay off has resulted in the game-losing spark, as spectators no longer turn-up in significant numbers. This has resulted in national teams faring poorly at international tournaments. BDF VI coach Selebatso Mabutho has hailed the decision to play the league even without a sponsor saying it is a step in the right direction. He said playing a non-sponsored league is long overdue. Mabutho said the most important aspect is that players should compete and getting a financial partner is not a priority. He said the long break in the league led to some players dumping volleyball for other sport.