The Voice (Botswana)

A BOOST FOR BUSH BUCKS

- BY CATHERINE MOEMEDI

Last Wednesday, Sankoyo Bush Bucks put their on-field woes aside to announce a threeyear sponsorshi­p from Wilderness Safaris worth P700,000.

The much-needed cash injection comes towards the end of what has been yet another difficult campaign for Ngurungu, who currently sit ninth in the 12-team Debswana First Division North.

Four points above the drop zone with just two games to go, Bush Bucks took a huge step to safety at the weekend, squeaking past Rolling Guys 1-0, a result that sent the minnows rolling back to regional football.

Speaking at last week’s sponsorshi­p unveiling, Club Chairman, Itumeleng Kelebetsen­g, stressed this season’s struggles were hardly surprising as the team played without a sponsor.

“Whenever we have to play outside, we had issues in transporti­ng our players, let alone finding proper accommodat­ion for them. This affected our team as often we failed to camp due to financial constraint­s,” revealed Kelebetsen­g, adding that in the past they have been heavily reliant on Sankoyo Tshwaragan­o Management Trust, a community trust where the team is originally from. He further said Bush Bucks’ hierarchy has been knocking tirelessly on various doors seeking assistance and finally hit gold with Wilderness Safaris.

“Annually, our budget as Sankoyo Bush Bucks is about P1.6 million, however, we appreciate Wilderness for sponsoring us as it will go a long way in assisting the team,” said Kelebetsen­g.

For his part, Okavango Wilderness Safaris MD, Kim Nixon, said it is their wish to see Sankoyo Bush Bucks back in the Premier League - a place they have not been since 2019.

“I remember the days when the team was in the Premier League, we have seen the talent that is within this area. Us sponsoring Sankoyo falls under our empowermen­t drive,” explained Nixon, whose company have a history of assisting the team.

Their latest union got off to a winning start, the weekend victory over Guys coming three days later.

 ?? ?? SPONSORSHI­P UNVEILING: Bush Bucks’ Club Chairman, Itumeleng Kelebetsen­g, and Okavango Wilderness Safaris MD, Kim Nixon
SPONSORSHI­P UNVEILING: Bush Bucks’ Club Chairman, Itumeleng Kelebetsen­g, and Okavango Wilderness Safaris MD, Kim Nixon

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