Tour operator, Savuti, Khwai, Linyanti (SKL) Group of Camps has unveiled a P234 850 sponsorship for Botswana Netball Association (BONA) for its Fast 5 netball tournament.
The sponsorship that is set to promote sports tourism, will run for a period of three years from 2022 to 2024.
Speaking at the launch BONA President Malebo Raditladi-Nkgakile noted that Ngamiland has proved to have good netball players who needed support, adding that their new partnership with SKL will go a long way in growing netball talent in the district.
She further noted that it has proved difficult to land sponsorships for netball as compared to other sporting codes, and as such the SKL partnership could not have come at the right time.
The sponsored tournament, she said will also prepare players to participate in the Netball World Cup which will be held in South Africa in 2023. She called on different stakeholders to support them through sponsorships to host tournaments that would prepare players for international competitions.
She revealed that the association plans to host a national tournament in Maun to allow for players and spectators from different parts of Botswana to witness the talent found in the area.
“Our dream as BONA is to have the netball Sub-Zone in Maun which will enable Maun netball players to play the league games and other tournaments,” she said.
BONA currently has four netball centres in Maun at Kubung, Botswelelo, Matlapana and Bonatla primary schools which are intended to groom and nurture young talent found in the region.
Meanwhile SKL Camps CEO Reaboka Mbulawa said the company believe in women empowerment in sport, adding they decided to sponsor netball after the realization that the code struggled to secure sponsorships.
Mbulawa added that their desire to promote netball is premised on the emergence of very competitive netball teams that would take part in netball tournaments in the region, which would also boost the economy of the area.
“When there is a netball tournament the small business entrepreneurs (hawkers/vendors) also earn some income, lodges and hotels also benefit from that,” Mbulawa said.
Mbulawa further highlighted his company’s intention to help Sport recover from the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that the process of recovery requires collaborative efforts between different stakeholders.
Following the sponsorship launch, the inaugural tournament was held from April 30 – May 1, in Gaborone where eight teams competed on the Ladies and Men’s categories.
The eight, Smash, Shear Lighters, Flamingos, Legend Killer, Trojan Blazers, Barbie Gals, Dynamites and Shear Lighters competed and Dynamites won the ladies category after walloping Barbie Gals 29-12 in the finals while Legend Killers won the men’s category after defeating Smash 19-17. The winners walked away with P1000 cash prize and gold medals.
During the launch existing Maun netball teams were urged to work hard so that they can also be able to take part in tournaments of that kind.
Meanwhile BONA Marketing and Public Relations, Mokeresete Mokeresete has appealed to different stakeholders to assist the national team in its preparations for the Netball World Cup to be held in South Africa in 2023. He revealed that team needs P1.5 million participate at international event.
