Botswana’s inaugural Business of Sport Summit pushes sport beyond passion, framing it as a serious economic play with jobs, investment and national growth on the line.
GAZETTE REPORTER
Botswana’s push to turn sport into a serious economic engine gathered fresh momentum last week as the inaugural Business of Sport Summit opened a platform for robust conversations on how the sector can drive growth, jobs and national development.
BIGGER STAKES
Held at the Royal Aria Conference Centre in Tlokweng, the summit attracted sports administrators, athletes, business executives, development partners, media practitioners and policymakers from across the country.
Discussions focused on sports sponsorship, commercialisation, investment opportunities, media engagement, sports tourism and leadership transformation. The conversations are expected to lay the foundation for a more sustainable and commercially viable sports industry capable of creating jobs and stimulating economic activity.
SPORTS ECONOMY
Co-founder and organiser of the Business of Sport Summit, Bonni Dintwa, said the initiative is aligned with government’s ambition to ensure that sport and the creative industries make a meaningful contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
“It is very important to establish partnerships with various stakeholders in order for us to come up with great ideas on how we can monetise sports and contribute towards the economy of the country. If there is no return on investment in the economy, nobody is going to take money from their pockets and put it into sport, and government cannot do it alone,” he said.
NEW ERA
Dintwa added that the summit marks the beginning of a new era in Botswana’s sports industry, where sport is increasingly recognised as a viable economic sector capable of contributing meaningfully to national development while creating opportunities for athletes, entrepreneurs and investors alike.
For his part, Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) Chief Executive Officer Olebile Sikwane emphasised that sport should no longer be viewed solely as a recreational activity or a source of national pride, but as a powerful economic sector with immense potential to generate employment, attract investment and strengthen communities.
“Botswana possesses the talent and resources to build a thriving sports industry. Unlocking its full potential will require deliberate collaboration among government, the private sector, development partners, sporting organisations and the media. The future of sport lies in partnerships, innovation and strong leadership. Sustainable development can only be achieved when all stakeholders work together towards a common goal,” he said.