SKL group of Camps, a safari company that sponsors the Fast 5 netball national tournament has hinted that it may increase the sponsorship in the next contract.
This was revealed by the company CEO Reaboka Mbulawa at the draw of the tournament held in Maun recently.
The safari company is sponsoring the tournament to a tune of P238 000 for a three-year period. As the contract comes to an end next year, Mbulawa has revealed that they will review the sponsorship deal and see how best they can increase it.
He noted that their hope is to see the sport being as competitive as football and athletics.
“Netball, like any other sport has immense benefits on people’s daily lives and health because engaging in sporting activities improves physical strength, agility and mental health therefore we will see how best to continue with the initiative,” he said.
Mbulawa also believes that Maun will become a destination of choice in terms of sport tourism through this tournament.
Botswana Netball Association (BONA) in partnership with the company recently conducted a draw for the second edition of the tournament that will be held in Maun from July 16-17.
This tournament is meant to select a team that will represent the country at the Tribago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games FAST5 netball competition set from the 14th to 18th August 2023 in Trinidad & Tobago.
16 teams will take part in the national tournament with eight being from southern zone and the other half from south all comprising of five players. Played in a knockout system, winners will proceed to the quarterfinals.
The newly established Maun Heroes will face Police and BDF Cats will take on Vipers while Thunderbolts will be up against Prisons Netball Club. Thamaga Jaspers will face Boteti River Giants and Nico United will face Uprising Stars while UB Crystals will take on Tasc. and Jwaneng will face Tafic.
The 16 teams will be divided into two categories with the first comprising of BDF Cats, Vipers, Jasper, Boteti River Giants, Notwane, Morupule Wanderers, Thurderbolts and Prisons. The other category comprises of Maun Heroes, Police, Nico United, Uprising Stars, UB Crystal, Tasc, Jwaneng and Tafic. Winners from the two groups will qualify for finals.
For his part, BONA vice president – technical, Onkabetse Kesekang has appreciated SKL’s support and making sure that the tournament is a success as well as bringing the vibe in the netball fraternity given that there were no activities undertaken by the association countrywide.
Kesekang said SKL came to their rescue to sponsor the Fast5 tournament, which he said, brought a lot of achievements to the association highlighting that for the first time Botswana has qualified to participate at the Tribago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games Fast 5 netball competition set for August.
“Botswana qualified because it was one of the two countries after South Africa that hosted the national tournament in Africa alone and we intend to ensure Maun becomes the home to the games going forward,” he added.
Meanwhile the newly established Maun Heroes netball team was privileged to be donated a new full kit as a way to empower and encourage them to do well and keep the trophy in Maun.
