BTC’s hangman’s halter for BFA
Sport
Botswana Premier League title sponsors, Botswana Telecommunication Cooperation (BTC) have issued a latest of their strict demands to Botswana Football Association (BFA) as far as adherence to the contract is concerned.
BTC, who are almost at the sunset of their relationship with Botswana Premier League, have made it clear failure to stick to the contract will attract punitive measures; including possible termination of contract before the projected time.
BTC has recently terminated a formidable three year contract with the Botswana Football Association (BFA) and re-negotiated new terms that are expected to expire in May of this year.But as the plight of the local game further drowns in uncharted waters; the title sponsors are still concerned by the laisser-faire attitude of football administrators and the unending political manoeuvrings that seem to hinder progress.
BTC has told the Football Association that it will only release sponsorship funds if certain conditions are met. The sponsors have told the league that only P5 million is available for the rest of the season.They made it clear that they expect the BFA to fully satisfy the terms of the new contract and in so doing the premier league money will be available. Among the conditions, the two parties agreed that at least 40 games should be televised, and after every 10 broadcast games, the league stands a good position to receive 1 million pula from the sponsor.
WeekendSport gathers that the sponsor disbursed the first 1 million Pula last year November. BTC released the money with the full knowledge that at least 10 premier league games were aired. It is said that the second 1 million Pula could have been deposited at the end of January because 10 games had been televised. In essence, BTC has to this date released only P1 million.
The sponsor has further cautioned the league to ensure that companies deemed competition to BTC do not appear at BTC premier league events because that will be seen as breach of contract. The sponsors, under the new terms, are at liberty to deduct P330 000 for every instance the BFA is deemed to have breached the contract.
When terminating the initial contract, BTC was deeply concerned by the constant negative publicity surrounding the BFA and its structures. There have been concerned regarding the mother-body’s ‘poor’ management of football.
It was said the recent developments have damaged the reputation of the BTC brand as the main sponsor of the premiership.BTC at the time raised three issues they felt the premier league had to seriously attend to. Information gleaned from various sources stated that BTC was grossly offended by the issue of e-ticketing. It was said that there was an agreement to the effect that BTC will get 5 Pula for each ticket sold by premier league clubs. Furthermore, BTC had wanted to monitor the rate and pace at which tickets were bought before kick-off.The second matter raised by the sponsors was of television rights.
BTC was much annoyed that BFA dangerously trampled upon the terms and conditions of the contract.BTC clearly stated that they agreed with BFA that a total of 60 games were to be televised in a season but this has not been happening.
BFA in the past years cried foul that Btv lacks the capacity to satisfy their partners’ demands and often times, they found themselves negotiating with their hands tied behind their backs as there is only one television station in the country.
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.
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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Sport
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.”