There is a glimmer of hope for volleyball teams that have been awaiting the much-punted Capital BMW Motors Cup. Following uncertainties surrounding its staging this year due to ongoing negotiations between the Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) and the sponsors, teams can now have a sigh of relief as the tournament seems to be back in the pipeline.
The tournament is usually slotted in between the volleyball league games with the finals on Independence Day but up to now the tournament fixtures have not yet been drawn up or even drafted. The good news though is that the sponsorship talks are said to be at an advanced stage.
BVF president Daniel Molaodi said they were hoping to announce the dates and logistics for this year’s tournament as soon as the deal is sealed after the few snags they are encountering are ironed out.
“We are expecting the cup to kick off soon because we are awaiting a response from the sponsors which we believe will be positive. Usually the Cup is held on Independence Day and we believe that since this marks the important year to every Motswana in regard to the country’s 50th anniversary our request will be approved. Last year the tournament was pushed back by national team activities but we hope this time around everything will go back to normal,” he said.
He further stated that the tournament (Cup) has played a vital role in the development of volleyball which is now considered one of the most excelling sport codes in the country.
“Our local volleyball has made huge progress in terms of zonal and continental rankings because of the many titles that are contested for locally, including the Capital BMW Motors Cup.
The Cup ensures our players exposure and opportunity to earn national team call-ups. The improvement that we see in our volleyball today is because of such tournaments,” stressed Molaodi.
“This is our eighth year with the sponsors and every year they have increased the figures to make sure that the tournament improves as it also serves as the Zone 6 qualifiers,” he said.
The Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) has urged all sport codes to empower their associations by all means that bring in income and not only to rely on it as many other codes look up to it for financial assistance.
“BNSC has recommended that we should stand up for ourselves and get sponsorships from outside that can help our federations to grow. So this Cup is our effort to abide by what was recommended to us. Any developments regarding the tournament will be communicated in due time,” concluded Molaodi.
The Capital BMW Motors Cup is one of the highlights of Botswana’s volleyball calendar and players, teams and fans at large are eagerly anticipating its return.
It looks like defending champions, Mafolofolo ladies team and Kutlwano men, will not have it easy this time around with most teams showing vast improvement.
Meanwhile, the Volleyball League is expected to resume next week following a two-week break prior to the second round where all eyes will be on Police 9 men and Mafolofolo ladies who are currently the pacesetters in their respective sections.
