27 Jul 2022

 Bank Gaborone will sponsor Gaborone United (GU) with P3 million for three seasons.

Speaking at a sponsorship launch in Gaborone this week, Minister of Entrepreneurship, Karabo Gare, said the sponsorship would develop new business models and products for transcended banking and stadium experience, benefiting all income segments and population demographics.

COVID-19, he said, impacted on all sectors with sport taking a huge hit.

“Whilst we are still trying to implement informed support strategies and measures towards the recovery of the sector, it is encouraging to see that Bank Gaborone has stepped up to incentivise football in a considerable manner,”he said

The minister said the role of non-governmental organisations and the private sector was to compliment government efforts.

The civil society, he said, existed to bridge the gap between government and people as well as improve service delivery and do the societal needs assessment from time to time.

“Let me remind you that a sponsorship of this magnitude is a great catalyst for economic activity. All we need to do is look around us. The stage, the lighting, the venue, the branding and even the invitations that we received are a clear example of entrepreneurship at work,” he said.

Gare said Botswana recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Namibia to bid for Africa’s premier football extravaganza, AFCON under the banner; BONA 2027.

He said should the bid be successful, capital injection would help facilitate infrastructure such as stadia, roads, hospitality and create employment in various sectors.

Bank Gaborone managing director, Sybrand Coetzee, said the sponsorship was in line with their purpose to be a connector of positive change.

“We can only effect this change with relationships built with our stakeholders. These relationships are important to us as they help to offer Batswana opportunities and rewarding experiences. Our customers and our staff also want to see us giving back to the community in a meaningful way. This is our way of saying, thank you for your patronage and service over the years,” he said.

Coetzee said football remained the most popular sports in Botswana and the world, adding the fact that this sport had an appeal that transcended all boundaries, it was all the more reason for them to take an active role in its development.

He said football also combined business, sportsmanship and a good dose of fun.

 For the past 16 years, he said, the bank had been involved in helping to develop football from grassroots.

“We partnered with one of Botswana’s most seasoned players Dipsy Selolwane to host Bank Gaborone Dlala Cup in Maun, a tournament whose objective was to showcase Botswana as an option for football training and talent scouting by international teams,” he said.

Coetzee said they decided to partner with GU because in the last decade the team had grown from good to great.

“Again, besides our bright and vibrant red colour, commonality between Bank Gaborone and GU is that it’s etched in our DNA to represent all Batswana and the communities we serve. Even our kit is a testament to this. When our team walks the field everyone will see that we are the winning team,” he said.

The managing director said they had also built a strong team, and their stellar performance they displayed in this year’s Botswana Premier League and Orange CAF tournaments was a clear testimony

“I also love the fact that they have a women’s team, and are also investing in the under 13, 15 and 17 teams. Talking to the GU leadership, you can see their vision hence these investments, which also include a stadium at BIAC and in another Bokaa,” he said.  ENDS