Regent Insurance and Regent Life Botswana donated P180 000 to Special Olympics Botswana (SOB) in a move to empower intellectually challenged athletes on Monday in Gaborone.
Regent Managing Director, Abe Botes, stated that the company’s corporate social investment identifies areas of opportunity to partner initiatives that are aligned to the country’s national goal such as poverty alleviation, national human resource development strategy and Vision 2016.
“We believe that Special Olympic Botswana touches on all these focus areas,” said Botes. He pointed out that by providing various sporting activities, the organization is active in skills developments, whilst imparting such skills gives opportunity for self reliance. He said Regent has been around for over 15 years.
Botes said also they have been looking for a partner to work with and finally worked with SOB.
“The gesture, which has now become a common feature of Regent Insurance regular corporate social responsibility practice among underprivileged communities, was borne of compassion and the desire for just and caring nation worth the ideals espoused by the country’s Vision 2016,” said Botes.
He added that the core business of the company is providing products and services that give short and long-life security. He also noted that SOB is an international organization that seeks to change lives through sport by encouraging people with intellectual challenges and fostering community of understanding and respect worldwide.
“Our ambition is to extend this country and not only in Gaborone and we are sincerely looking to give assistance as well as support where there is need in the society”.
Special Olympic Botswana (SOB) National Director Ross Tebele expressed gratitude towards the warm gesture. He said it would go a long way in ensuring that the efforts add value to the athletes.
“We build their confidence and impart life-long sporting skills that can help them realize sense of purpose and self-reliance,” said Tebele.
Tebele pointed out that SOB has registered 782 family members, 324 trained coaches’ six regions comprising 50 government and private special schools countrywide. He added that SOB took part in 2011 and 2012 Olympics in South Africa with other 10 country representatives. “The financial assistance gives the athletes hope and assurance and a sense of belonging and we have a lot of medals in the past years,” said Tebele.
Representing the athletes were Ithuteng Primary School students Setshego Ramotswedinyana and Katlego Themba from unit for students with intellectual disability.
