Massive increase in BDC sponsorship

The amount is P52,500 more than last year's sponsorship. This is the second year that BDC is sponsoring the event organised by the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA). The competition will be held in Jwaneng this weekend. It will mark the end of the cross-country series that have been going on in recent weeks. At a press briefing this week, BAA president Moses Bantsi, thanked BDC and expressed hope that the sponsorship will motivate athletes to perform better. He urged other corporate bodies to follow the example of BDC and sponsor athletics. He assured BDC that they have chosen the right partner in BAA and that the sponsorship money will be put to good use. 'We believe this is a long term marriage that we have entered into,' he said. He added that they will continue to give BDC mileage even after the national cross-country championship.

The chairman of BDC's corporate social responsibility, Simon Meti congratulated BAA upon being an organised body. He said that is why they did not have a problem sponsoring the association. However, Meti reminded BAA that the corporate sector demands value for the money that it puts into any project. He challenged sports administrators to be more proactive in promoting sponsors. 

He said the cross-country sponsorship is a testimony to the commitment of BDC to the development of youth and sports in Botswana. 'Sport is a nation builder. It has brought warring factions together throughout the world. It is known to transcend cultural, racial and tribal boundaries.' Meti appealed to all sportspeople to work hard for the success of the country in sport at international level. 'We believe that good performance in sport is a product of a combination of factors including hard work. I therefore urge those who are lined up to represent this beautiful country at the forthcoming national and regional competitions to work hard for better results,' he said.

Meti encouraged the business community to support sport, as it has immense marketing opportunities. He explained that an event like the national cross-country championship has the potential to project consumer products to the level of a brand. Meti applauded Botswana sportspeople in general for an improved performance at international level.