21 Sep 2023

lt will be smiles all the way to the bank for all  athletes who competed at the World Athlectics Championships, in Budapest, Hungary, when they receive monetary incentives from government and different companies.

Government, through Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) gave athletes P926 000 to share among themselves while Choppies gave Letsile Tebogo P250 000 for his great exploits.

Debswana also gave the team P300 000 and from that amount, coach Chilume Ntshwarang and his assistant, Kebonyemodisa Mosimanyane will each receive P10 000.

Tebogo received P60 000 for winning silver and bronze medals in 100m and 200m respectively and also P10 000 participation fee.

All athletes who did not win any medal received P10 000 each while the men’s 4x400m relay team members and Tshepiso Masalela got P15 000 and P10 000 participation fee.

Speaking at the appreciation ceremony for the team on Wednesday, Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare said different sponsors deserved a pat on the back, given that the successes were attributable to them.

He said with the increase and corresponding support from the private sector, they were confident that there would be good performances and results in sport.

Rakgare further said Debswana gave the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) and BNSC P3 million and P2 million respectively per year towards development.

He said expectations were that other companies could emulate Debswana and participate in sport development too.

He also thanked government for investing in sport, adding that they continued to pride themselves in being one of the best funders of sport per capita.

For his part, Debswana managing director, Maatla Motsomi said they were proud that athletes were taking part in many championships, tournaments and games in Africa and across the world.

“Already some of our athletes are getting international recognition and endorsements globally.

This is testimony that our sponsorship to the Botswana Athletics Association is producing the desired outcomes and is anchored on mutual trust and common purpose,” he said.

He said Debswana’s financial support had added value to the journey of development and excellence in sport by providing an opportunity for the team to take part in local, regional and international tournaments.

He said their partnership with BAA had contributed to the excellent performance of athletes.

“For us at Debswana, our partnership with the Botswana Athletics Association is a proclamation of our purpose to Make Life Brilliant for our communities and Batswana at large,” he said. ENDS