Strikr joins the sports gear race

FOOTBALL
There is a new player in the local sports apparel market, and the local brewed brand is already making waves having launched technical sponsorships for two Division One league football teams. The STRIKR sports brand under Angels enterprises is set to become popular among local sports teams and sport codes.

Speaking during a press conference where the sponsorship announcement for Tourism FC and Mmopane Sporting Club were made in Gaborone, Angels Enterprises General Manager Saad Mohuddin said the apparel company has an illustrious track record in Botswana. “Our biggest client is government as we have supplied different ministries. We have even been supplying sports organisations like Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC)and the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) for more than 10 years.

We have never put a label on our sportswear because we did not feel the need to do that because orders are still coming and the quality is still meeting the standards,” Mohuddin said. “Recently I have decided to create a new brand called STRIKR, it is registered with CIPA and everything is done properly. We plan to make STRIKR an all sports brand but we have started with football because it is the most popular sport and the best way to get the name out there.”

Addressing members of the press, Mohuddin said they have since requested the Botswana Football Association officials to provide team profiles for purposes of possible sponsorship deals. “We interviewed the clubs and looking at our budget we decided to go for two teams. We will continue to roll out sponsorship as to when we can manage. Now we are concentrating on those clubs that are   within our region.

It is easier to start with somebody close to you than all over the country.”Mohuddin said they chose two Division One teams being Tourism FC and Mmopane Sporting club. “We had a chat with them and looked at the management style and the structure of how the clubs were run. We thought that they best reflected our values because they spend their own personal time and money and this shows that they are very dedicated.” Mohuddin said sponsorship is the best way to take their brand name to the people.

“At the same time, we are giving back to the community. Imagine how difficult it is for smaller teams to acquire playing kits and win games. We wanted to start in the lower division and build our way up because it is the smaller guys who need more help.”
According to Mohuddin, big league teams need help too but it is the teams based in rural areas that have much more challenges and need help to get boys and girls out of unbecoming activities.

“Once you play for a team, your ego and other distraction go away. I play cricket for the national team so I know this. Initially we started with football but we have had a lot of requests for volleyball, softball and netball. I am looking at another two or three clubs in the next few months.”

Mohuddin explained that the value of the sponsorship is around P15 000 for one team, that includes home and away kit, track suits and T shirts. He further highlighted that the sponsorship can be extended for another two or three-year period.
“This is the first time we sponsor sports teams and we want to see how it goes.”

Speaking during the same occasion, the chairman of Tourism FC, Alfred Moarabi said the sponsorship will be very helpful as lower division teams are struggling in terms of playing kit, trainers, soccer boots and transport.  “These are some of the difficulties we face. Since we have secured a kit we are relieved, we will focus on transport, food, trainers. Tourism FC competes in the South East Division one league”.

For his part, the chairman of Mmopane Sporting club said coming into the Strikr family with Angel Enterprises will give his team the leverage they require. “This is because they are structured in a way that they will give us visibility. We will provide them with pictures highlighting moments of our games so that they advertise such material. This will jump start the morale of both players and supporters because this will be like rebranding the club.”