They are currently in negotiations with a local kit supplier
LETLHOGILE MPUANG
The Botswana Netball Association has turned down bids by international kit suppliers keen to sponsor the country’s national under 21 team at this year’s Netball Youth World Cup. With less than 90 days remaining ahead of the games, the local association is working around the clock to ensure that the team is ready across every aspect, ahead of the competition.
Despite this, BONA appears to be taking their time on deciding who will dress the team at this tournament. Gazette Sport has learned that the netball association have rejected numerous offers from some international kit manufactures.
Though names have not been divulged, this publication has been led to believe that some of the offers were presented by leading sports retailers. In an interview with the President of local netball Tebogo Lebotse-Sebego, she confirmed receiving and rejecting these offers.
“We have offers from an international suppliers, but have put them aside, because we want to get a local kit supplier,” said Lebotse-Sebego. She went on to reveal that they are currently in talks with a local unnamed kit sponsor, and are hopeful of closing the deal soon. “We are still negotiating with a local supplier, and we are hoping to reach an agreement soon,” she briefly stated.
“We have Debswana who recently came on board, the Botswana Sports Commission and the Botswana National Olympic Committee. We have also been able to source sponsors from BDF, who have assisted the team with trainers (shoes). Botswana College of Agriculture have donated their indoor venue, which is very important.,” she added.
“Pacific Institute are also part of the sponsors, and they will take the team through what we call investment and excellence. This teaches the players the need to be excellent in everything they do, so that we don’t focus only on the playing aspect, but also on the mind,” continued the head of local netball.
In closing she pointed that they are still appealing to more sponsors to assist the team, specifically on the players welfare. “Obviously, we cannot hide out that one, we still need more assistance to help in the players welfare, to make sure that the girls receives the right treatment when they are on camp, and that they are not compromised from a needs perspective. Most of the players are out of school, and being on camp means they are missing out on opportunities to find employment, so it should not be as if the national team is a waste of time for them,” she ended.
Meanwhile, Spar Supermarkets donated P600 000 to also assist in the preparation and hosting of the games. The sponsorship was unveiled this past Saturday at the BONA courts in Gaborone.