COPA Tourney receivees P800 000

Global soft drinks giant Coca Cola has sponsored the 2018 COPA Coca Cola soccer tournament at a whopping P800 000. The sponsorship announced this week in Radisele village is mainly   for procurement of soccer equipment such as balls and kits for players. Speaking at the launch, the Assistant Minister of Basic Education Thato Kwerepe said the government remains the primary supporter of sports in schools, however efforts from private entities like Coca Cola are always commendable. Addressing stakeholders and members of the press, Kwerepe said government alone cannot develop sports in the country and applauded sport associations who go out of their way to ensure the smooth running of school sport. The minister said the partnership between BISA and Coca Cola dates back to 2014 and the soft drinks company has since splashed over P3 million on the soccer tournament. Kwerepe said the impact of the sponsorship has been felt in schools, adding that it was through the tournament that Botswana discovered renowned athletes such as Mogakolodi Tsotso Ngele, Thato Kebue and Gorata Mogakolodi. For her part, Coca Cola Senior Brand Manager Tamar Mbalo said the soccer tournament has made an impressive mark on the lives of thousands secondary school pupils, their families and communities throughout Botswana. She explained that the road has been a very successful one, which they are very proud to partake in. Mbalo said the tournament has managed to produce former senior national team players Jomo Bolofete and Noah Kareng who are now grooming young footballers locally. Furthermore, she explained that through the COPA Coca Cola tournament, they have been sowing seeds of football everywhere for the good of all. In addition, Mbalo said participants of the tournament have a chance to play in regional tournaments pencilled for later this year. “This development will see youth sharing experiences and bridging the gap between those in different countries and continents. We continue to be proud sponsors of this initiative which is a long-term investment in our youth and the future,” she said.Speaking during the same occasion, BISA president Joshua Gaothobogwe  said they organise competitions for 12 sport codes, with that they need all the support they can possibly get. Gaothobogwe mentioned that currently BISA activities are 100 percent funded by the Ministry.” The BISA annual budget hovers around P10 million however we only get around P1 million from the ministry, this means most of our activities suffer,” he said.