07 Aug 2022

 

Archein Hardware Group has injected P250 000 into the Independence Softball Tournament billed for Gaborone in two weeks’ time.

Unveiling the sponsorship to the Botswana Softball Association (BSA) on Friday, Archein Hardware Group managing director, Nikunj Mehta, said the sponsorship was for the 16 participating teams.

He said P150 000 would be set aside for the prize money while P100 000 would be for medals, t-shirts and logistics.

He said the sponsorship would also help grow the company’s brand image.

Mehta said their findings had showed that businesses that sponsored sport events improved brand image, increased exposure to customers and increased sales.

For his part, the Indian High Commissioner to Botswana, Dr Rajesh Ranjan said he was pleased to see companies run by the Indian community playing a vital role in sport development.

He said the high commission intended to promote the youth through sporting activities.

Consequently, Dr Ranjan said the embassy had availed five scholarships for softball players to study in India while getting technical expertise on the sport.

For his part, BSA president, Katlholo Mosimanegape, said the sponsorship came at a time when the sporting code was struggling financially following the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted sporting activities.

Mosimanegape said despite all the challenges, they managed to hold two championships for both women and men in Selebi Phikwe and Gaborone respectively.

He said they also managed to stage the Selebi Phikwe softball extravaganza with the help of SPEDU.

Mosimanegape said the softball tournament would held from September 30 to October 2.

Elimination games will be held August 20-28 for men and women teams in the south while for the north, they will be on August 28.

Botswana National Sport Commission, board member, Dr Khaulani Fichani applauded Archein and the Indian High Commission for supporting sport.

He assured them that the money would be used for its intended purpose.  ENDS