10th December 2025
Own Correspondent
Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTC) has been unveiled as a sponsor of the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026 to be held in Gaborone, Botswana on the 2nd and 3rd May 2026 at an event organised to reveal and honour the founding sponsors.
Delivering the key remarks, Jacob Kelebeng, Minister of Arts and Sports, acknowledged the sponsors for empowering World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026 to dream bigger and reach higher. He further stated that the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026 “is one of the events that will never be erased from the history books.”
He acknowledged the support of founding sponsors, BTC, Halfway Toyota and Diamond College of Botswana, saying that their commitment is the “first crucial baton passes” in the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026.
Mike Siachitema, BTC Chief Commercial Officer, said that BTC celebrates the spirit of partnership and excellence that defines the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026.
He added that they are “deeply honoured to welcome the world to Gaborone, showcasing Botswana’s commitment to sporting excellence, hospitality, and innovation, as we proudly host the World Athletics Relays for the very first time.”
Announcing their sponsorship, Siachitema stated that BTC is the Official Connectivity Partner for this prestigious event, adding that they are providing both in-kind connectivity solutions and a cash sponsorship, to a total value of P3,077,600. 60.
BTC will deliver high-speed wifi connectivity at the National Stadium, wifi connectivity at the University of Botswana (UB Stadium), reliable connectivity for the Local Organizing Committee Secretariat, mobile connectivity for seamless communication for hosting both local and international athletes and monetary contribution of P500,000.
He further stated that these initiatives are designed to ensure that every athlete, official, and spectator “experiences the very best in connectivity and hospitality during the competition as we connect the stakeholders to the world as per our slogan of “Live Connected”, where we commit to ensure we are connected”, he concluded.
Professor Martin Mokgwathi Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee stated that the event was held “not merely to announce sponsorships but to affirm our collective resolve to position Botswana as a premier destination for global sport, creativity, and national pride.”
Professor Mokgwathi defined the World Athletics Relays 2026 as a powerful platform to enable Botswana, to tell its story, a story of ambition, unity, and readiness.
He further added that as they officially welcome first strategic partners, they are partnering with visionary institutions that believe in Botswana’s potential, that understand the magnitude of this event, and that have chosen to walk this journey with them as we they “set a new standard for African-hosted world-class events” he affirmed.
Delivering the closing remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026, Moses Bantsi thanked all stakeholders for attending the sponsor’s reveal event.
He stated that as a collective, the nation must rise to the occasion in hosting the international community and showcase our national values and ambitions, he said.
Bantsi also stated that the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026 is more than a sporting event, it is a milestone and an opportunity for the nation’s pride, adding that “Gaborone now stands as a gateway to Africa excellence.”
