For the past two years, Archeine Hardware has been sponsoring the tournament that takes place at the National Diamond. The BSA president, Kutlwano Mukokomani, said the grant will be used to run the league, for prize money, and also assist clubs. Mukokomani said initially they did not propose to have an Independence tournament this year but rather, they had internal discussions to have the league instead. “We have been in discussion with Archeine Hardware who have been sponsoring the Independence tournament. We had agreed in principle, but we were left with loose ends. Unfortunately, they pulled out but our league will continue as planned.
Should anything change from Archeine's side, we can accommodate them or any potential sponsor,” he said. Mukokomani said if Archeine were to come on board, they would co-sponsor the league. He said clubs are suffering due to a lack of equipment as it is expensive. “A box of balls costs P2, 000. For 25 clubs that is P50,000. A decent bat is around P6, 000 for 25 clubs, that is P125, 000. Already P275, 000 is gone. Some clubs do not have a decent kit, they look unattractive on the field. You must realise that we want to impress our supporters and potential sponsors,” he said. The BSA informed clubs through a letter dated August 15, 2024, that the Independence tournament would not be held. The letter stated that a national league is proposed to commence from September until March 2025.
The BSA secretary-general, Same Molete, said through the letter that the association has received a club development grant from the Botswana National Sport Commission to aid the code in the preparation of a national league, including but not limited to assisting with balls, bats, kits, and prize money towards the league. “In order to adequately establish the level of aid, all duly paid up members of the association are required to indicate what kind of support they require, be it balls, bats or playing kit. Further clubs are required to submit a list of their players' ages and identity numbers. Clubs that indicate their commitment to the development of youth players will receive preferential support,” Molete said in the letter.
