Betway South Africa officially kick started the National Disability Month celebrations with another community sport development initiative under the #BetwayCares theme.
Recognising the significance of this month, the leading online sports betting and entertainment company has committed itself to helping various organisations around the country that aid in the development of differently-abled athletes. This will be done through the brand’s #BetwayCares theme that has seen the brand have a positive impact on a number of community sport organisations over the last two years.
In the spirit of continually uplifting communities through sport, Betway partnered with the KwaThema Disability Sports Club at the KwaThema Stadium in Ekurhuleni on Friday, 6 November to highlight, not only the importance of removing barriers, but also to improve the quality of life of people living with disabilities.
The club, which offers access to sporting opportunities for differently-abled persons in the form of Athletics, Wheelchair Tennis and Cerebral Palsy Soccer, has been in existence since 2011 under the leadership of founder and director, Aubrey Mathibela.
With limited resources at its disposal, the club has still managed to produce some of the country’s top performing athletes which includes Zanele Situ – a two-time gold medallist in javelin at the Paralympics and IPC World Championships.
As part of recognising this important month, Betway donated sporting equipment and apparel to the value of R45,000 to the club to ensure it can continue to deliver on its mission of providing access and an opportunity to athletes who have disabilities.
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Speaking on behalf of the KwaThema Disability Sports Club, Mathibela thanked Betway for partnering with them to celebrate this important day, which was made more special by the donation of the equipment.
“We have been in existence for over 10 years and, to date, we rely on government funding and generous community members to fund our training and overall activities. To have a big brand such as Betway making their way to our township and celebrating National Disability Month with us really means a lot to the athletes and the community. As a club and KwaThema community, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Betway,” said Mathibela.
Betway SA’s Marketing Manager, David Rachidi, said that Betway would continue working hard to find meaningful ways of changing people’s lives for the better through sport.
“Over the last two years, Betway SA has been on an extensive drive to reach, and positively impact, as many communities as possible through sport. With November being National Disability Month, we saw it fit that as a brand, we continue to play our part in assisting the KwaThema Disability Sports Club in their vision of providing sport opportunities for differently-abled persons. Through working together with such organisations, we can see more athletes from our communities representing the country on the global stage,” said Rachidi.
Throughout the month of November, Betway – in partnership with athletes and partners that work closely with athletes living with disabilities – will be involved in various community upliftment initiatives.
Also in attendance on Friday was the brand’s ambassador, Lucas Radebe, who heaped praise on the club’s commitment to inspiring people living with disabilities.
“It is quite encouraging to see a club with limited resources doing so much for the community. People living with disabilities are unfortunately discriminated against which leads to a lack of opportunities. Such a partnership, in celebration of National Disability Month can only encourage this club to continue doing the wonderful work it has been doing for the last ten years,” said Radebe.