Sunbet Botswana pump big bucks into GC Giants
The sun shone brightly on the bank accounts of two of the country’s biggest football clubs this Thursday, as Sunbet Botswana extended a P2.5 million sponsorship to Township Rollers and Gaborone United ahead of the upcoming season.
The deal sees Rollers pocket P1.5 million; in return, Sunbet will get prime advertising space on the front of Popa’s match-day shirt. GU on the other hand, received a cool million and will display Sunbet on the sleeve of their shirts.
Speaking at the sponsorship launch in Gaborone, Sunbet Country Manager, Tsholofelo Makgoeng said the gambling company had rubberstamped their presence in Botswana with this landmark partnership.
“These two teams are big brands in the Premier League and we want to celebrate football with them. It makes sense to have partnership with football .We have grown with the support of local people; this is a partnership with the people of Botswana and with time we can grow even better. This sponsorship will impact Batswana economically .This investment will aid excellence, both on and off the pitch for the two sides,” declared Makgoeng.
He is also confident the new relationship will create opportunities for local business.
Since setting up shop in Botswana in February, the South-African based Sunbet has swiftly integrated itself into local society, assisting the Miss Universe beauty pageant as well as Horse racing.
Accepting the sponsorship, United’s grateful Director, Nicholas Zakhem said this shows confidence in the GU brand.
“This is an important sponsorship to us and it is much appreciated. It might be one season but we are looking forward to having them even beyond. We really appreciate the value and investment they are bringing and we should push this relationship to the next level,” said Zakhem.
Similarly, Rollers Chairman, Bafana Pheto said the cash injection was a much-needed, perfectly-timed boost for the Blues.
“We are at a time where we don’t have any main sponsor and Sunbet managed to secure that prime space in our shirt. Our relationship with GU is very cordial outside the field of play though we are rivals in the field. So I can urge supporters to open accounts with Sunbet such that our team can derive even more value going to the future,” said Pheto.
The two sides face off in the Sunbet Charity Cup at the GU Stadium this Saturday, with gate takings going towards a charity picked by the public.
With the main event scheduled for 1500hrs, gates open at 1100hrs, the action starting with a curtain raiser between Rollers and GU U/17 sides.
Although fans have questioned the choice of venue, with many unconvinced at the stadium’s capability to host a game of this magnitude, GU spokesperson, Owe Mmolawa revealed they only printed 4, 000 tickets, which is the ground’s capacity.
