18 Apr 2024

Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) has received a shot in the arm in the form of a P500 000 sponsorship from the Okavango Diamond Company (ODC).

The money will be used to support Team Botswana for qualifications and preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to be held from July 26 - August 11.  

Speaking at the sponsorship  unveiling, ODC managing director, Mmetla Masire said their commitment in fostering opportunities for athletes of all backgrounds was ingrained in thei rcompany values.

Therefore, he said the sponsorship reaffirmed their dedication to empowering individuals to attain their dreams, both on and off the field.

He said over the years the ODC has been actively involved in initiatives promoting gender equality, inclusivity and community development.

“We recently sponsored the Women in Sports Awards for the second time, which celebrated the remarkable achievements of women in sports.

Our partnerships with organisations like the netball association further demonstrate our belief in the transformative power of sports to uplift and empower individuals from all walks of life,” he said.

Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) president, Botsang Tshenyego said they saw it fit to a make a proposal to the corporate world requesting sposnorship for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games preparations as funding had been challenging.

He appreciated the Okavango Diamond Company for stepping up to make their preparations possible.

He said the money would cover Team Botswana accomodation.travel to camps and competitions expenses, equipment, coaching, nutrition and other specialised services.

Also, he said April 17 marked 100 days to the Olympics.

He added that while they had  few opportunities to qualify more athletes and events in athletics, the same could not be said about other sporting codes that make up the Paris Olympics 2024 campaign.

“We are likely to send one of the smallest teams to the Games, but not only that ane we may be sending a one sport team.

Given our profile at the Olympic Games, we cannot qualify for a universality place.

The BNOC has also previously taken a position that a universality place would be purely for developmental reasons and as such has not been a popular practice,” he said.

BNOC caretaker CEO, Tebogo Kesupile said the team continued to face challenges during the preparatory phase of the competition, which had become increasingly apparent in the post-COVID-19 era, where restrictions nearly rendered sport completely defunct.

As such, she said elite athletes had and continue to face a myriad of challenges in order to be competition ready, inclusive of tightening purse strings.

“It has become increasingly apparent in recent years as the country shifts towards a ‘knowledge-based economy’ that the sporting fraternity will need to carve out its niche in order to remain relevant, and not be left behind as the nation pivots away from our traditional mindset, and in order to ensure that we remain appealing to potential partners such as the ODC,” she said.

“Through engaging with the ODC, we anticipate that the organisation will reap greater overall rewards, including the exponential growth in our support towards our elite athletes,” she said. ENDS