Women and Sport Botswana (WASBO) is intent on strengthening its relationship with the media, which it regards as their most important stakeholder.
The intention is borne out of WASBO’s belief that the media, as a watch dog, plays an enormous influence in helping to shape underlying sentiments and societal opinions.
This past weekend, WASBO hosted a media engagement to further consolidate the friendship with the media. The event also marked the sponsorship launch for the WASBO special award.
According to WASBO chairperson, Matlho Kgosi, the organization is highly appreciative of the efforts made by Botswana media houses across all channels to help the cause of women in sports.
She says it is for this reason they found it fit to sit down with the media in a more relaxed environment and continue to discuss all that matters.
Dinaletsana Head Coach during the 2017 Netball World Youth Cup and one of WASBO founders, Setshedi Mmopi, says aside from the media being gender sensitive in reporting, it is also critical in rallying behind the girl child.
She went on to add that the society does not know much about women-dominated sports and the potential role of women in sport.
“As Dinaletsana head coach for the NWYC, I realized in engagements as we toured the country and even right here in the capital, that many especially man, are not aware of some of these female-dominated sports and their potential to bring the nation together,” she said.
With this in mind, Mmopi says it is important to leverage soft skills and varied experiences among womenfolk’s, shaping and guiding them for tomorrow.
“There is much to benefit from participation of women in sports at all levels. Be it at the elite, recreational, grassroots, technical, leadership, media or any other areas. It is my dream that equality will become the order of the day soon enough,” she said.
Meanwhile, WASBO, has launched a special award to be given to deserving individuals in the women in sport.
The award, which carries with it a P10 000.00 prize money is sponsored by Sprint Couriers.
Launching the award, Michelle Gebrial of Sprint Couriers said it was introduced by WASBO to reward excellence and motivation for female athletes to perform to their level best.
Gebrial highlighted that she was thrilled with the association’s media engagement and organizational growth.
“This is a good start and I have no doubt in my mind that WASBO will exercise proper stewardship over funds given to them for the sole purpose of sport development,” she said.
She added that Sprint Couriers continues to support women in sports, adding that they managed to make a donation of P50 000.00 to the recent BFA elections women debates despite being in the midst of a global pandemic that has affected its business operation.
