BVF, Mascom discuss sponsorship deal
Sport
Teams adamant new deal will be reached
Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) has begun engaging Mascom wireless on the possibility of renewing the volleyball league sponsorship.
As things stand, the negotiations between the two parties are progressing at a satisfying pace and indications are that, chances of Mascom sponsoring volleyball again are very high. It is clear that the BVF top brass is waiting and willing to continue their relationship with the company that ‘‘broke the bank for volleyball’’ when they sponsored the league at P1 million a season.
While on the other hand, sources say, the Mascom is happy to be associated with the BVF because adherence to best practices when it comes to administering sports.
Reports also suggest that the mobile network company is impressed by the excellent coverage given to the volleyball league, because this gave the sponsor the much needed mileage. It was part of the contract agreement that BVF would push to ensure that the sponsor enjoys good media coverage.
‘’These people want their name to stick in people’s minds and so far BTV, radio stations and newspapers are covering the league, so they are also happy more-especially that it was in the agreement ,’’ said a source.
Last season’s export to a professional league in Algeria, Tracy Chaba-Disang has given the Mascom the motivation that indeed BVF is doing something in the sport. Chaba-Disang once won the league’s most valuable player award.
While officials from both sides are careful not to let anything out as ‘’they are still cooking’’, those close to the developments say that ‘’for BVF figures are not an issue’’ as the leadership has not suggested any figures to the sponsor despite volleyball’s remarkable growth.
Mascom, who entered the partnership in 2012 with a mouthwatering offer of P3 million for three years, is expected to raise the bar this time around but that can only happen if the top brass push for that increment which according to insiders, will not happen.
“Volleyball champions have been getting P100,000 and we are expecting that to increase if the sponsorship is renewed because nowadays we travel a lot, but I doubt it will happen because the leaders seem happy with the status quo,’’ another source revealed.
Officials from different clubs who spoke to this publication are optimistic that Mascom will make a comeback to the sport as everything has been in order.
“We have been travelling around to other places to bring the sport to the people, unlike in the past where we revolved in one area and this is a plus for the company to return to the sport,’’ said Dikgang Kgosane of Spiking Stars.
But some are skeptical as they strongly believe that the negotiations present a 50-50 chance and the teams should start to prepare the psychological part of the players because there is a chance that the league could be played without a main sponsor.
At the time of going to press the BVF could not be reached for comment as they are still in negotiations. The arrival of Mascom in volleyball has continued to lift the sport as Kutlwano, the league champions are also the reigning champions of Zone VI region. Should they become unlucky with the deal they will join other codes which are without sponsors including netball, basketball and women’s football leagues.
Sport
It’s do or die for Zebras
The senior national team, the Zebras, is currently in Equatorial Guinea to for an African Cup of Nations Qualifiers tie. Before they departed, the team’s coach, Mogomotsi Mpote, had his troops train in Morocco. This was through the agreement between the two countries.
The agreement between the BFA and the Fédération Moroccan Football Association states that the two nations will work together to organize friendly matches between their respective national teams. It also allows the establishment of football camps for the youth categories (U-15, U-17, and U-20), this includes women’s national teams.
The national team has played over 180 minutes in its two qualifying matches against Tunisia and Libya. Currently, the Zebras, Lesotho and Liberia are the only teams that haven’t scored yet in the competition (this is correct by press time on Friday).
Before the match against Equatorial Guinea match, the local boys who were once known as the whipping boys of Africa in the early 2000s, were languishing at the bottom of the log standings in group J. They lost their first match away to Libya on June 1, 2022. However, they managed to salvage a point against Tunisia last year.
Before the team left for Equatorial Guinea, coach Mpote urged his players to focus on keeping their hopes of making a return trip to the AFCON finals alive after an 11 year absence since the maiden appearance in 2012. He noted that they would not allow their opponents to score and would ensure that they would get a draw.
Despite the various changes that have occurred in the two countries’ football landscape, the two teams have only met once before. In 2010, the local boys defeated the Equatorial Guinea team in a friendly match, which ended in an emphatic win for the visitors. Since then, the two sides have realised different fortunes in FIFA rankings, with Equatorial Guinea ranked 51 places above the Zebras.
Meanwhile, in their last six games, Guinea has only managed to win one of them. They drew with Rwanda and Togo in September 2022 friendlies. They have found the back of the net just twice in their six games. On the other hand, the Zebras, won one match against Zambia and lost four on their way to finishing at the bottom of the group with four points. At the conclusion of their previous AFCON campaign, the local boys traveled to Zambia and secured a draw.
MPOTE CONFIDENT
Despite the recent results of the Guinean team, which have only managed to draw with Rwanda and Togo in their last six matches, coach Mpote is still confident that his team will perform well against the hosts.
According to the head coach, the local boys have the necessary skills and resources to perform well against any country. He noted that the team’s coaches have been studying abroad to gain a deeper understanding of the various aspects of football.
“Tactically they should also be ready. We need your (Botswana fans) usual support, when we come back from Equatorial Guinea, we will go to Francistown, and we will need you. You are our 12th player, and you are very important to us.”
OBED ITANI CHILUME STADIUM CERTIFIED
This week, the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) Tuelo Serufho revealed that the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium will host the return leg of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the local boys and Equatorial Guinea. The venue had initially failed an inspection test conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). However, following the completion of the necessary works, the stadium was allowed to host the match.
According to BNSC Chief, Tuelo Serufho, the various requirements that the stadium must meet included having a designated parking area for the media and spectators, as well as having signage that will guide the spectators. He also noted that the venue now has a world-class media area.
Sport
Jagdish Shah rejects Rollers society
Township Rollers, one of the country’s most decorated football clubs with 15 premier league titles, is finding itself in a precarious situation as its long-term chief financier, Jagdish Shah, threatens to dump them if the society does not bow down to his demand of forfeiting their 20 percent interest in the company.
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Sport
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.