Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
Mosah Mokganedi
4 November 2009
The Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) has made a passionate plea to the business community and the public to help raise over P2 million required to plug the shortfall in the budget for hosting the Botswana Games scheduled for next month.
The BNSC has so far raised P3.5 million of the P6.2 million needed to host the games. On Tuesday, the BNSC raised P688,908 from eight sponsors in Gaborone. The eight sponsors are Mmegi, Trade World, Chemical Industries, Soul Box, Security Systems, AT&T Monnakgotla Bus Service, Gaborone Sun and Tswana Bus Builders. AT&T Monnaakgotla and Tswana Bus Builders have sponsored the event with P20,000 each, while Trade World donated P50,000. The other sponsors have donated in kind.
Vice President and Botswana Games patron, Mompati Merafhe, said at the unveiling of the sponsors that hosting the event is an uphill task because it entails mobilisation of huge financial resources. He promised the sponsors that they would receive maximum value for their help. He said that by sponsoring the games, they were not only contributing to sports but also upholding the national Vision 2016.
Games organising committee member, Dabilani Buthali said they have encountered a few hurdles in preparing for the event, but they remain focused. He said preparations for the event are on track and the response they are getting from different districts are good.
Buthali said the poor response from sponsors has forced them to adopt new publicity measures.
He added that through the Botswana Games, they hope to mould young athletes into finished products. Meempat Shankar of Chemical Industries said they have to sponsor the games to help teenagers. Shankar who was speaking on behalf of all the sponsors said the teenage stage is the most critical in human life. "That is why we found it befitting to partner with BNSC not only to focus on first class athletes but also to nurture young talent," he said.
Shankar said the games will put Botswana in good stead to host big international events. "Let us not only celebrate when our athletes are doing well. Let us also contribute to their success," he appealed. The Botswana Games will be held from December 14 to 19 in Gaborone. About 4,200 athletes aged 19 and below from 13 sporting disciplines are expected to take part.
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