Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) coffers have been given a huge boost by First Capital Bank through a P50 000 sponsorship.
The money will go towards sponsorship of two open tournaments scheduled for March on the 4th and 24th.
Each tournament will get P25 000 in order to cover prizes and administration costs of the competition. Dubbed “Lefika Savings Account Tournament”, the first competition will be held at Livingstone Kolobeng College in Gaborone.
Speaking at the launch of the sponsorship on Friday in Gaborone, First Capital Bank Chief Executive Officer Reinette van der Merwe said they are very passionate about sports therefore they remain committed to the development of sports in Botswana.
“In order to create greater success in the years to come I hope BTTA will support their athletes with this and their performances in major games will be impacted positively. We do believe as the private sector it is our responsibility to partner with Botswana sports so that we can assist our youth in terms of participation and growing sports locally,” said Van der Merwe.
However, the relationship between BTTA and First Capital Bank dates back to last year where it started with a P15 000 sponsorship. As part of the current sponsorship, winners at the tournament will get free Lefika Savings Accounts with a P500 credited already.
For his part, BTTA president Kudzanani Motswagole said they ensure that a huge chunk of the money which is P15 000 go towards athletes prizes.
“We appreciate the support from First Capital Bank because it finds us in a position where we are lacking in area of savings. I’m saying this because we have monthly tournaments which are sponsored and athletes win prize money but we can’t show the success of it because we lacked the Lefika savings account.
We have made a resolution as the executive committee that from now on ,20 percent of what athletes win at tournaments will go directly towards the Lefika Savings Account. This sponsorship will ensure sustainability and growth therefore we will guard against misuse of funds,” he said.
Only singles will be played at the tournament with champions getting P3000 prize, runners up P2000 will third placed athletes will win P1000.The tournament will come in handy as table tennis prepares for huge international tournaments being the World Championships in Durban from 20th-28th of May and ITTF Southern Region World qualifiers in June from 29th-30th.
