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10^th December 2025

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For Immediate Release

Gaborone, Botswana – Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTC) was revealed as the Connectivity Partner for the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026 to be held in Gaborone, Botswana on the 2^nd and 3^rd May 2026 at an event organised to reveal and honour the founding sponsors.

Delivering the key remarks, the Minister of Arts and Sports, Honourable Jacob Kelebeng, 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”, adding that in partnership with sponsors, “we will have the privileged of sharing the essence of being a Motswana, through the spirit of perseverance, the pursuit of greatness and the resilience with the world. He further acknowledged the founding sponsors, namely BTC, Halfway Toyota and Diamond College of Botswana, stating that they have shown faith in our country’s ability to deliver and that their commitment is the “first crucial baton passes” in the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026, said Kelebeng.

Presenting the sponsorship, BTC Chief Marketing Officer Mike Siachitema stated 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”, he said. 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.

As part of the sponsorship, 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 a 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.

Welcoming guests at the event, the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Professor Martin Mokgwathi, 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”, he said. Professor Mokgwathi defined the World Athletics Relays 2026 as a powerful platform where nations showcase their spirit, will give Botswana an opportunity to step forward as a country 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 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 African excellence”, he said.

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For more information, kindly contact,

Head of Stakeholder Relations: Ms. Lesego Goitsemang

Email address: goitsemangl@btc.bw

Cell no: +26775854602

The Republic of Botswana through the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology in collaboration with the ICT Sector is scheduled to commemorate the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) on the 17th May 2022. This year the commemorations will be held in Mmathubudukwane village, Police Grounds.

The event is commemorated annually by International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Member States to showcase and help raise awareness of what Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) offer, the immense opportunities and their life-changing power if harnessed properly and effectively. ITU Member States are encouraged to ensure universal access to ICTs, bridge the digital divide, and empower citizens with digital skills to benefit significantly from new and emerging technologies.

The theme for the 2022 commemoration is; “Digital Technologies for the Older Persons and Healthy Ageing.” The theme challenges Member States to reaffirm their commitment to accelerating digital technologies to bring older persons online, improve access and empower them to make use of digital technologies effectively for their health and well-being.

Furthermore it focuses on combating discrimination, reducing inequalities and promoting healthy lifestyles through the use of smart technologies.

Though older persons are not as technologically savvy like the younger generation, they should be able to use digital technologies to keep in touch with family and friends, get access to medical care and financial services as well as to be up to date with the latest information. This commemoration will therefore be used to share with the elderly, useful information they will need on the proper use of ICTs.

Preceding the WTISD is the Girls in ICT Day scheduled for the 13th May 2022 at Mabalane Community Hall. The event is commemorated annually to create awareness and encourage girls and young women to pursue careers and studies in ICTs. The Information Communication and Technology (ICT) sector has over the years been dominated by males globally. Botswana has not been an exception. Although efforts have been made to bridge the gap, inequalities still persist, hence the need to increase and advocate for comprehensive knowledge and resources to equip the Girl child with skills to explore the digital world while fulfilling the goals of the Connect 2030 Agenda, one of which is ‘inclusiveness.’

The commemoration this year will be held under the theme: Access and Safety. The theme emphasises on promoting and advancing resources to address the obstacles of digital access and safe use of online platforms by girls and young women who are often vulnerable to online scams, bullying and shaming. As part of this year’s commemoration of the Girls in ICT Day, secondary school girls from Kgatleng Region were trained on coding, cybersecurity as well as entrepreneurial skills using ICTs.

Download Press Release – WTISD 2022

For more information, please contact:
Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology
Public Relations Office
Email: mtcpro@gov.bw
Phone: + 267 361 2000/2013/2045
Website: www.gov.bw