And P1 million prize money goes to
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The title sponsors of the elite local league, Botswana Telecommunication Corporation Limited (BTCL), is entangled in a web of confusion and uncertainty over who should receive the 1 million championship prize money between two rivals, Township Rollers and Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
BTCL, trading as beMOBILE is willing to release the prize money to premier league teams, and has taken a step forward to close last season’s books. However, the sponsors are headed for a dilemma over who should receive the winning prize money. There has been a heightened fanfare between Rollers and Chiefs, ever since the case involving Ofentse Nato’s registration was first given prominence.
Sources speaking to WeekendSport revealed that, contrary to popular belief, Rollers have not withdrawn Nato’s case at the Court of Arbitration and are expected to furnish further evidence this month. Sources say, this development has the sponsors between a rock and a hard place, while they wait for official correspondence about who the genuine champions are.
Other reports, which be MOBILE could not confirm, suggest that the two teams, at a possible worst scenario, will equally share the 1million as a last resort to putting the matter to bed. However, what the local telecommunication giant could validate is that the prize money will be momentarily frozen, WeekendSport has learnt.
According to BTCL’s prize money sheet, the champions are entitled to receive a million pula while the runners up get P500 000.
Although a premier league playoff game was scheduled and played to decide the ultimate winner-where Rollers demolished Chiefs by 5-1, the Kgatleng outfit are said to be clinging on to the belief that FIFA as the highest authority has to make a determination over Nato’s saga and therefore it is of paramount importance to wait upon them.
Ofentse Nato first became the subject of discussion after Township Rollers threw arch rivals Mochudi Centre Chiefs out of the Mascom Top 8 tournament during the semi finals at Francistown sports complex. The said player played part of the match, prompting Chiefs to file a protest. However, Magosi were left counting their losses after it was found out that they failed to follow procedure in lodging a protest. The same player was part of their game against Gilport Lions who too complained legally regarding the status of the player. Gilport Lions later won the case with three points and 2 goals from Rollers where the appeals committee inferred that Nato was a defaulter.
Be MOBILE, who are in process of rebranding themselves to BTCL are not moved by the BPL murky developments, and at best, will wait for the conclusion of the matter. In the mean-time, the sponsors are resolute that the other premier league teams will receive their money.
Centre Chiefs Communications Manager, Clifford Mogomotsi, when asked for clarity said, ‘‘it is always a good move to wait for CAS to make a final ruling, and any other process will follow thereafter.’’
Meanwhile, new BFA President, Maclean Letshwiti when addressing his first ever media briefing, said both Rollers and Chiefs will each receive 500 000 pending the outcome of the Nato case. The ultimate winner, according to the president, will get the remaining balance.
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Orange injects P350 000 into Phikwe marathon
Mobile network Orange Botswana is committed to supporting the development of local sport. Through its sponsorship, the company will be able to promote and market the sport. According to Maano Masisi, the company believes that sport can unite people from different backgrounds.
He stated that through the sponsorship of the marathon, the company will help promote healthy lifestyles and unity among the people of Selebi Phikwe.
The Selebi Phikwe Marathon is scheduled to take place on July 29, 2023. It is expected that it will attract international, regional, and social runners. A total of P216 000 has been allocated for the prize money for the first ten places in the 42.2 km race. For the 15km and 10km races, the LOC will give away prizes to the first five places.
Sport
Big Guns for Botswana Grand Prix
The National Stadium will be lit up with fireworks on April 29, 2023, as some of the best international athletes will participate in the maiden Botswana Grand prix.
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AFRICA’S RECOVERY: Sports as game changer
The year 2022 witnessed unprecedented phenomena. Several Africans- Gotytom Gebreslase, Sharon Lokedi, Victor Kiplangat, Tamarit Tola and many others- swept the World’s marathons records.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting control measures implemented in several countries, led to many high-level sports competitions being cancelled or shelved, the Dakar 2022 Youth Olympic Games was moved to 2026.
Founder and Executive Chairman, African Sports and Creative Institute, Will Mabiakop, says the inability to hold traditional and amateur sports events have had a serious effect on public health overall, including mental health, sparking a revolution whereby athletes began to talk more openly about stress, mental overload and performance anxiety.
“Africa is home to the fastest growing economies before the crisis, no longer on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). COVID-19 deepened interdependence between SDGs, making them harder to achieve, especially SDG 10 (reducing inequality) and SDG 5 (gender equality_ as the pandemic had a disproportionate impact on poorer countries, and heavier burdens (such as care work) fell to women.”
Mabiakop stresses that as policymakers contemplate actions to speed up recovery and build resilience, they must argue that sports and creative businesses should play a central feature in this effort.
“The sports economy worldwide is estimated at 5% of GDP, but only 0.5% in Africa. If exploited, Africa’s sports and creative industries can offer policymakers innovative solutions. Especially, as regards job creation, and providing employment to the 15 million people entering the job market annually.”
HOW CAN THE INDUSTRY DO THIS?
By leveraging the two-for-one concept: past studies shown that a 1% growth in the economy delivers a 2% job increment in this sector (these ratios are calculated using data from 48 African countries and adjusted to the reality of the sports economy in Africa by the authors). There are between 30 and 50 job types, in sports and creative industries, respectively. These jobs do not fade away with the first major shock.
Mabiakop indicated that policymakers can use these industries to tackle multiple crises- jobs, poverty, and climate risks. Sports diplomacy- defined as communication, representation and negotiation in or through the prism of sports- has proven effective in building inclusive and cohesive societies. Moreover, sports and the creative industry can support better mental health and well-being, both important for productivity.
“Policymakers can also be true to the game by leveraging culture and tradition to celebrate identity and reap commercial value in sports, textiles and jewelry. Creative sectors allow deeper connection with culture, are not easily copied and provide great economic potential.”
He said supporting grassroots sports has powerful distributional effects. “Fortunately, technology has made reaching wide audiences easier, generating higher rates of success when talent is discovered.”
However, Mabiakop held that potential pitfalls must be highlighted. “First avoid build it and they will come policies with infrastructures denuded from the rest of the ecosystem. Like the many sports stadiums left largely unused.”
“Policymakers must remain mindful of how these sectors move the needle in human capital development. Also, align the requisite public policies needed for progress from grassroots participation to professional sports, and even to international sporting events. They should also support investment instruments to render these sectors performant.”