Hope Tee Energy boss and Township Rollers sponsor Hope Kontle believes football has enormous untapped potential to become one of Botswana’s key economic drivers, creating business opportunities and supporting livelihoods beyond the stadium.
In a recent sit-down interview with Tuesday Grill, Kontle spoke passionately about the economic value of major football fixtures, particularly encounters involving clubs with large followings such as Township Rollers and Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
The two giants meet this Saturday, 10 October, at the National Stadium in Gaborone, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm. The encounter, which is a Mochudi Centre Chiefs home fixture, is expected to attract supporters from Gaborone and surrounding areas.
Kontle believes such fixtures have the potential to stimulate economic activity across several sectors, benefiting businesses of different sizes.
“When thousands of supporters come together for a football match, it is not just the clubs that benefit. Transport operators make money, food vendors make money, restaurants, shops, security companies and many other businesses benefit. There is an entire economic value chain around football that we are not fully appreciating,” Kontle said.
He believes Botswana must begin looking at football beyond entertainment and recognise its potential to contribute to economic diversification, employment creation and business growth.
Kontle said the benefits extend beyond match days to industries such as hospitality, tourism, advertising, broadcasting, sports merchandise and event management.
However, he believes the country has not done enough to establish the actual economic contribution of football.
“We need proper research and comprehensive studies to understand how much football contributes to our economy. When we have a big game attracting thousands of people, how much money circulates in the economy? How many businesses benefit? How many jobs are supported? These are things we must begin to measure,” he said.
Kontle challenged government, the corporate sector and other stakeholders to invest more in football and sports generally, arguing that Botswana has the potential to develop sport into a meaningful economic pillar.
“We cannot continue looking at sports sponsorship as simply giving money to football clubs. We must begin to see sport as an investment in the economy. There are opportunities for businesses, young people and communities. I want to encourage other stakeholders to come on board so that together we can grow this industry,” he said.
Hope Tee Energy recently committed P6 million to Township Rollers over three seasons, a partnership Kontle believes should go beyond financial support.
Central to his vision is the importance of supporters, whom he describes as the biggest drivers of the football product.
“The supporters are the heartbeat of football. Without them, there is no product to sell. Clubs and sponsors must engage them, understand them and make them feel part of what we are building. We cannot build a successful football industry without the people who make the game what it is,” he said.
It is against this background that Kontle and his guests have decided to abandon the traditional VIP Grand Stand experience for Saturday’s encounter against Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
Instead, they will watch the match alongside Popa supporters at the traditional Northern Stand, popularly known as the Rollers Stand.
Kontle said the decision was deliberate and intended to bring him closer to the supporters, interact with them and experience first-hand the passion that makes Township Rollers one of Botswana’s biggest football clubs.
For him, the move is also about breaking the traditional distance between sponsors and supporters, allowing him to listen to fans, understand their expectations and appreciate the role they play in sustaining the club.
“We have decided to leave the VIP and go where our supporters are. We want to sit with them, sing with them, listen to them and experience the game together. I want to understand what makes these supporters so passionate about Rollers. These are the people who sacrifice their time and money to support the club, and they deserve to feel appreciated,” Kontle said.
He added that building a successful football club requires more than financial investment, insisting that supporters must feel a sense of ownership and belonging.
“For me, being at the Rollers Stand is more than just watching a football match. It is about connecting with the people who make this club what it is. I want to hear their stories, understand their passion and share those moments with them. That connection is very important to me,” he said.
Kontle called on the Popa faithful to turn up in large numbers, dressed in blue and yellow, and rally behind the players as Rollers continue rebuilding the team.
There will also be goodies for supporters at the Rollers Stand as Hope Tee Energy seeks to make the occasion memorable.
“I want to see the Rollers Stand packed on Saturday. Let us paint the stadium blue and yellow and rally behind the boys. We are rebuilding this great club, and the supporters must be part of that journey. Football belongs to the people, and together we can make it bigger and better,” Kontle said.
The Mochudi Centre Chiefs versus Township Rollers encounter kicks off at 7pm on Saturday, 10 October, at the National Stadium
