Tuesday marked a victorious evening for the University of Botswana (UB) Contingent who will be participating in the World University games to be held in Belgrade. Several sponsors came on board to help the team and were revealed at a mini ceremony held at UB.
The ceremony was also used as an opportunity to present the team to the Vice Chancellor of the University.
The team left on Thursday and will participate in athletics and table tennis.
It comprises of sixteen players, and four of them are from the Botswana College of Agriculture, which is an affiliate to UB.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Sports and Recreation, Dr. Dele Akpata said they had consistently been participating in the World University games since 1995 besides major constraints in sponsorship. He added that they are now very grateful to the sponsors who have extended their helping hand to them.
Akpata revealed that they got P100 000 from the Serbian community, a five year contract with Orange Botswana, who will, among other things, provide athletic gear and all that will be needed, P13 000 from the Chinese Embassy, P5 000 from the Chinese community and also some sponsorship from UB and some individuals.
Presenting their sponsorship, Orange Public Relations Officer, Karabo Tlhabiwe, said they have a symbiotic relationship with the sports department at UB. He said they have realized that sponsorship is the driving force for many sports codes and therefore they will be providing assistance to different sports codes at UB for a period of five years.
“We want to make sure the students are also well branded when they represent the university as well as the country,” Tlhabiwe said.
Among things that Orange provided the team with was the team attire and traveling bags, which were all branded with the University of Botswana’s and Orange colours.
Tlhabiwe added that, as part of their mandate to help the sports department, they had already provided substitutes’ twelve seat benches at the UB stadium.
“We will also assist with certain things that are and will be needed during the five year period,” he said.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs, Professor Lydia Nyathi- Ramahobo gave the team words of motivation. She told the team that sports is psychological satisfaction and also part of learning as such should athletes must utilise the talent that they have in sports. She also urged the team to fully represent the country.
“Remember you will be carrying the Botswana flag, be open minded, interact and associate with those who know,” she said.
Ramahobo added that they should come back and teach others what they have learnt at the games.
