Bots chases Newcastle deal
Chakalisa Dube | Saturday May 28, 2022 06:00
Although details are still sketchy, Mmegi Sport has established that a delegation from Botswana led by the Minister of Trade and Industry Mmusi Kgafela and the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture Tumiso Rakgare was recently in England, where they met directors of Newcastle to discuss possible areas of cooperation. This week, Rakgare confirmed that government is exploring partnering with Newcastle in a bid to promote tourism in the country and other sports-related areas. “We have interest in partnering with Newcastle.
There are so many benefits that might come up with this partnership if it can see the light of day. It can benefit us from tourism to grassroots development among others,” Rakgare told Mmegi Sport this week. He also confirmed that the government recently sent a delegation to England to meet the directors of Newcastle. However, Rakgare said the main factor with reference to concluding the deal is the finance. “There are processes to follow. Where we are right now, all the ministries have some commitments. We have already made some financial commitments because the budget was passed this March in Parliament. We will have to see how we are going to juggle the budget that we have in different ministries. It is not an easy task.
We will announce the outcome in due course. Make no mistake we really want this so bad,” Rakgare said. Sources have said that once finalized, the deal will among others see the Botswana brand being emblazoned on shirts sleeves of Newcastle and advertising boards in a bid to sell the country’s tourism among others. The Newcastle deal is likely to kick off at the beginning of the next English Premier League season, according to sources. Several countries and large international firms have in recent years leveraged on the popularity of English clubs to sell themselves or their initiatives. In 2018, Rwanda signed an agreement with one of the biggest premier league clubs, Arsenal, to promote its tourism. The three-year deal meant that the ‘Visit Rwanda’ logo would be emblazoned on the Arsenal sleeves. The Arsenal-Rwanda deal is worth over P100 million.