Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Africa Links 24
Published on 2024-02-22 21:17:25
FNB Botswana, a subsidiary of First National Bank, has recently announced a monumental sponsorship of P54 million for Botswana football, resulting in widespread acclaim. This substantial investment is set to have a significant impact on various aspects of the sport over the next three years.
A breakdown of the sponsorship reveals that P28.5 million will be allocated to the Botswana Premier League from 2024 to 2026, providing an annual allocation of P9.5 million. This injection of funds is aimed at strengthening the league’s competitiveness and sustainability, with provisions for initiatives such as prize money, awards ceremonies, and administration expenses.
Additionally, P13.5 million has been earmarked for the senior women’s national football team, The Mares, over three years, translating to an annual allocation of P4.5 million. These funds will cater to critical needs such as team logistics, training camps, and medical support to enhance the team’s performance both domestically and internationally.
In addition to these contributions, FNBB has committed approximately P12 million over three years to optimize the partnership’s benefits for the Botswana Football Association and football enthusiasts at large. This comprehensive approach to sponsorship has been met with praise from sports analyst Mqondisi Dube, who views it as a positive development for the sport, particularly given the challenges faced by football in recent times.
While Dube acknowledges the significance of financial support in ensuring adequate compensation for players, he emphasizes the importance of effective packaging to attract spectators to matches, as financial support alone may not be sufficient for the sport’s growth.
The impact of FNBB’s sponsorship extends beyond football and has been lauded by the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport, and Culture Development, Tumiso Rakgare. The minister commended FNBB for its contribution to advancing football in Botswana and stressed the importance of corporate partnerships in sponsoring development programs, leagues, and individual clubs.
Rakgare highlighted the potential impact of the sponsorship on youth unemployment, noting that the funds allocated to football clubs in the league could lead to employment opportunities for young people as players and administrators. He also emphasized that funding a league generally improves the quality of play, which in turn fosters increased interest and creates opportunities for young people in the SMME sector.
Furthermore, Rakgare urged the private sector to invest in sports, especially multinational companies operating in Botswana, emphasizing the transformative impact of such sponsorships on society. He applauded FNBB for its contributions to sports development and urged other multinational companies to follow suit in supporting sports in Botswana.
FNBB’s CEO, Steven Bogatsu, affirmed the bank’s commitment to sports development and its transformative impact on society. He emphasized that the sponsorship aligns with the bank’s long-term agenda of uplifting sports and driving positive change within the community. This sponsorship, according to Bogatsu, epitomizes the bank’s shared value proposition, emphasizing its dedication to the grassroots-to-greatness philosophy.
In conclusion, FNBB’s P54 million sponsorship of Botswana football signifies a significant investment in the sport, with a focus on advancing the league’s competitiveness, supporting the senior women’s national football team, and optimizing benefits for the football community as a whole. The sponsorship has been praised for its potential impact on youth employment, the quality of play, and the broader societal transformation it is poised to bring about. FNBB’s commitment to sports development and uplifting the community reflects its dedication to the grassroots-to-greatness philosophy, setting a commendable example for other multinational companies to follow.
Read the original article on Gazette News
