BIHL Group has committed P1.05 million in sponsorship in kind towards the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026, backing Botswana’s first time hosting the global athletics event.
Speaking during the sponsorship unveiling on Tuesday, BIHL Group Chief Executive Officer Catherine Lesetedi said the World Athletics Relays are a major milestone for Botswana and go beyond sport.
She said hosting the event for the first time shows Botswana’s ability to stage world-class international competitions while also creating opportunities for economic growth and national pride.
“The upcoming World Athletics Relays is not just another event on the global sporting calendar. It is the first time this prestigious competition will be hosted on our soil. That, in itself, is historic,” she said.
Lesetedi said the P1,050,000 sponsorship will help the organising committee deliver a smooth and successful event while creating a lasting legacy for the country.
She said the relays will also contribute to economic diversification by boosting tourism, creating jobs, supporting local businesses and positioning Botswana as a destination for international events.
“At the BIHL Group, we see sport as a powerful driver of economic diversification. Events such as the Debswana World Athletics Relays play an important role in unlocking new opportunities,” she said.
She added that beyond the financial impact, the event will inspire young athletes across the country.
“Somewhere in the stands will be future champions. Young boys and girls who will be motivated by what they witness here, and who will carry those aspirations into the future of Botswana athletics,” she said.
Lesetedi said BIHL’s support for the relays is part of its long-standing investment in sport and community development, pointing to past sponsorships such as the African Youth Games and Special Olympics Botswana.
BIHL Group Executive for Corporate Distribution and Stakeholder Management Thomas Masifhi said the sponsorship reflects the group’s belief in Botswana’s potential.
He said sport has the power to unite the country, inspire young people and create moments of national pride.
“At its heart, today is about partnership, national pride, and belief in what Botswana can achieve,” he said.
BIHL Trustee Samson Setumo said the sponsorship handover was about more than funding the event.
“This has been about Botswana, our story, our potential, and our moment. The world is coming to Botswana, and that should fill all of us with a real sense of pride,” he said.
The Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026 will be the first time Botswana hosts the international competition, placing the country on the global athletics stage.
