NANCY RAMOKHUA
editors@thepatriot.co.bw
Orange Botswana through the Orange FA Cup has renewed its sponsorship with Botswana Football Association (BFA) for an additional three seasons valued at P5 138 000 00, an investment increase of 17%. The renewed collaboration will see an increase in the tournament prize money to a whooping P800. 000. 00. This was announced on Thursday during the season 4 cup launch.
The Orange FA Cup sponsorship deal, spanning three seasons, has increased from P12.6 million to P15.4 million.
As said by Orange Botswana Chief Finance Officer Bishy Butale the renewal of the sponsorship agreement with BFA reaffirms their dedication to fostering the development, growth and promotion of the local game and upliftment of communities. “The collaboration with BFA makes a difference to thousands of people both directly and indirectly. Most importantly the FA Cup offers a life changing opportunity to lower league players leaving them with life long memories,” highlighted Butale. The cup continues to intend on scouting the deepest villages for talented soccer players, rising stars of Botswana’s football. It is as such that 12 new teams have been roped in, to compete with teams that have previously played in the FA cup, with recognition of teams from areas such as Etsha (Etsha Morning Stars) , Chobe (Mbalakalungu) and Kang (Kang Royal Stallion).
Botswana Football Association (BFA) President MacLean Letshwiti has hailed the sponsor Orange for their involvement where it matters, from the lowest to the highest level, cultivating and watering the desire and ambitions of the marginalized and fortunate alike. “Orange FA cup gives established players the opportunity to further distinguish themselves from others while it also gives ambitious amateurs the opportunity to dream even bigger,” Letshwiti said giving reference to the development of vibrant local players.
The draw of the last 48 is made up of teams from southern and northern divisions, as a result this will see the teams joining in the last 32 draw emediately after honoring their fixtures.
The Season fixture draws are as follows:
South Fixtures
Matebejana vs VTM
Kang Royal Stallion vs Lokgwabe United
Holy Ghost vs Mochudi Centre Chiefs
Nojane Young Stars vs UB Hawks
Black Rangers vs Mochudi United
Taung Young Strikers vs URI Black Forest
Matebele FC vs Tlokweng United
Broadhurst United vs Naughty Boys
North Fixtures
Sankoyo Bushbucks vs FC Masterpiece
Green Lovers vs Miscellaneous
Super Stars vs Etsha Morning Star
Chadibe FC vs Mogorosi Daillars
Zowa United vs Peace Makers
Rolling Guys vs Santa Green
Eleven Angels vs Mbalakalungu
Nico United vs Dukwi Sporting Club