BOT50 sponsors Independence Cup for P54,000
Koketso Kgoboge | Thursday September 1, 2016 15:51
The tournament, which will feature five local First Division women’s teams and 18 local men’s sides across divisions in Francistown will resume on September 3 and the finals played on September 30.
The sponsorship will be divided into two categories with the men’s teams receiving P40,000, which will include administration, referees allowances, appearance fees for teams and prize money.
The winner in the men’s section walks away with P10,000, runner-ups pocket P4,500 while the third placed team gets P2,500. The women’s winners get P5,000, with losing finalists receiving P3,500 while second runner-ups will be consoled with P1,500.
Francistown’s BOT50 local organising committee chairperson, Kebaabetswe Bogatsu said they believe sponsoring the tournament will go a long way in reviving and leaving a legacy of football in the city even beyond independence celebrations.
“Football touches every corner of the city and we have mandated ourselves with making sure everyone here gets a piece of this cake,” he said. “This is an encouragement to the teams and to the people of Francistown. “We want to see people coming forward and supporting this initiative. We want to leave a legacy in all aspects even beyond the independence celebrations,” he added.
Former Zebras forward, Diphetogo ‘Dipsy’ Selolwane, who was the guest speaker at the launch of the sponsorship, commended the leadership of Francistown Football Association (FRAFA) for their efforts to revive the cup.
“It is very inspiring for the new regime here to have achieved this,” he said. “Francistown has become the home of football and this is an achievement for the people.
“It is small steps like these that take football forward. It is up to us football lovers to give a little bit more to the game and then we can inspire more sponsors and ultimately our football will change lives,” he said.
FRAFA chairperson, Maokaneng Bontshetse said the fate of the cup after independence depends on the running of this year’s edition.
“We must be thankful to BOT50 for breathing life into the cup that has been the pride of the city over the years,” Bontshetse said.
“But we must also be aware that BOT50 will not be here next year and it is important that we draw interest to potential sponsors during this edition. So we must make it a point that we carry ourselves appropriately,” he said.