Sunday, February 9, 2025

Africa Youth Games gets P9 million from Choppies

The Botswana Africa Youth Games Organising Committee (BAYGOC) on Monday received a major boost in their preparations as the Choppies Group of Companies jumped on board to become the game’s first platinum sponsor. The Choppies Group, who own Botswana’s biggest chain of stores, Choppies Superstores, has given the BAYGOC a whopping $1 million (around P8.6 million) towards the games. Speaking at the launch of the sponsorship, Choppies Superstores Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ramachandran Ottappathu, said as a home grown Botswana brand, Choppies Superstores felt it as their responsibility to support the Africa Youth Games’ which will showcase Botswana to the continent.
“It is not a question of whether we can afford to take on this commitment, it is simply a situation of ‘we have to do it.’ Hence we as Choppies are doing it, and we are doing it for Batswana,” the Choppies CEO explained.
Ottappathu said the Africa Youth Games are the biggest event Botswana will host, adding that it will provide all Batswana an opportunity to showcase Botswana to the world.
For his part, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Shaw Kgathi, lauded Choppies for their initiative. Kgathi said the initiative by Choppies will help create opportunities for young Batswana athletes.
The Minister called upon other corporate to emulate Choppies and come on board to ensure the games are a success.
For her part, BAYGOC’s Sponsorship Committee Chairperson, Tiny Kgatlwane, described the sponsorship deal as a key milestone for the BAYGOC. The BAYGOC Sponsorship Committee Chairperson called upon all in the corporate world to come forth and assist as the BAYGOC has to raise P25 million towards the games which are only eight (8) months away.
Kgatlwane said when Botswana took it up to bid to host the Africa Youth Games, ‘it was not only for the benefit of the sport, but for all sectors of Botswana’s economy.’ The Africa Youth Games will be hosted in the country from the 22nd to the 31st of May next year.

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