Rollers renew Katsvairo interest
Sport
Zimbabwean born boy and former Kaizer Chiefs player Michelle Katsvairo is being monitored once again by defending champions, Township Rollers to accept a central striking role following the departure of Mthokosize Msomi.
It is said Rollers influential minds are trying to sweet-talk the player urging him to ignoring less intriguing offers. According to sources, should he agree terms he will also deputize long standing striker Joel Mogorosi. The striker had a deal on the table from low ranked team in South Africa’s First Division but he is being cajoled to admit the pull of Rollers, the club at which he seeks to write his name into folklore. Katsvairo rejected Rollers’ offer last season and instead preferred to play in Tanzania.
He will be offered a contract should he impress after featuring for the club last weekend in a friendly pre-season tournament organized by Matebejana. He had a torrid time with Chiefs and the move to Tanzania also did not pay dividends as he struggled to regain his touted form. Michelle is expected to be guided by Nikola Kavazovic to mount another serious challenge for this year’s silver ware.
Rollers have reshuffled their attacking options over a period of time, losing darling striker Jerome Ramatlhakwane to Orapa United while veteran player Kekaetswe Mara Moloi also prematurely exited the champions after an unsuccessful stay. Rollers’ technical team complained bitterly last season about the lack of productivity from their attackers but they hope that the ever-consistent Lemponye Tshireletso and Katsvairo, aided perhaps by Mogorosi who remains on the books, can perhaps fire an upturn.
All the while, it is said Mogorosi, should Katsvairo sign, will no longer be a first-choice selection but Kavazovic will hope that his personality and experience will serve to inspire the rest of the attacking options, most notably the younger players. Rollers have always sought to have leaders in their squad, players who have won big games and can bolster the collective belief. Their signing of Ofentse Nato last season was rooted, in part, by what he could bring away from the field.
Katsvairo is also expected to join partly on probation, and will sign to play, not to inspire, as he once argued that Botswana football is below required standard. The club sources say the team will peruse more options that will important into building the deal for him to stay longer.
Club Communication Manager Phemperetlhe Pheto confirmed that indeed Katsvairo is been monitored to join them for the rest of the season and there is a great anticipation that will bring stability in the team. ‘‘Yes the player is there but currently the technical team is still focused on the weekend game against Al Ahly, any other issues involving players will be dealt with after the ill fate tie,’’ he said.
Sport
Big Guns for Botswana Grand Prix
The National Stadium will be lit up with fireworks on April 29, 2023, as some of the best international athletes will participate in the maiden Botswana Grand prix.
This content is locked
Login To Unlock The Content!
Sport
AFRICA’S RECOVERY: Sports as game changer
The year 2022 witnessed unprecedented phenomena. Several Africans- Gotytom Gebreslase, Sharon Lokedi, Victor Kiplangat, Tamarit Tola and many others- swept the World’s marathons records.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting control measures implemented in several countries, led to many high-level sports competitions being cancelled or shelved, the Dakar 2022 Youth Olympic Games was moved to 2026.
Founder and Executive Chairman, African Sports and Creative Institute, Will Mabiakop, says the inability to hold traditional and amateur sports events have had a serious effect on public health overall, including mental health, sparking a revolution whereby athletes began to talk more openly about stress, mental overload and performance anxiety.
“Africa is home to the fastest growing economies before the crisis, no longer on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). COVID-19 deepened interdependence between SDGs, making them harder to achieve, especially SDG 10 (reducing inequality) and SDG 5 (gender equality_ as the pandemic had a disproportionate impact on poorer countries, and heavier burdens (such as care work) fell to women.”
Mabiakop stresses that as policymakers contemplate actions to speed up recovery and build resilience, they must argue that sports and creative businesses should play a central feature in this effort.
“The sports economy worldwide is estimated at 5% of GDP, but only 0.5% in Africa. If exploited, Africa’s sports and creative industries can offer policymakers innovative solutions. Especially, as regards job creation, and providing employment to the 15 million people entering the job market annually.”
HOW CAN THE INDUSTRY DO THIS?
By leveraging the two-for-one concept: past studies shown that a 1% growth in the economy delivers a 2% job increment in this sector (these ratios are calculated using data from 48 African countries and adjusted to the reality of the sports economy in Africa by the authors). There are between 30 and 50 job types, in sports and creative industries, respectively. These jobs do not fade away with the first major shock.
Mabiakop indicated that policymakers can use these industries to tackle multiple crises- jobs, poverty, and climate risks. Sports diplomacy- defined as communication, representation and negotiation in or through the prism of sports- has proven effective in building inclusive and cohesive societies. Moreover, sports and the creative industry can support better mental health and well-being, both important for productivity.
“Policymakers can also be true to the game by leveraging culture and tradition to celebrate identity and reap commercial value in sports, textiles and jewelry. Creative sectors allow deeper connection with culture, are not easily copied and provide great economic potential.”
He said supporting grassroots sports has powerful distributional effects. “Fortunately, technology has made reaching wide audiences easier, generating higher rates of success when talent is discovered.”
However, Mabiakop held that potential pitfalls must be highlighted. “First avoid build it and they will come policies with infrastructures denuded from the rest of the ecosystem. Like the many sports stadiums left largely unused.”
“Policymakers must remain mindful of how these sectors move the needle in human capital development. Also, align the requisite public policies needed for progress from grassroots participation to professional sports, and even to international sporting events. They should also support investment instruments to render these sectors performant.”
Sport
BFA to pay Taylor P330 000
Botswana Football Association (BFA) has been ordered to pay its former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Goabaone Taylor over P330 000 as a compensation for her unfair dismissal last year February.
This content is locked
Login To Unlock The Content!