Chiefs’ supporters want Piro back
Sport
Even though he has gone past his playing days, Pontsho ‘Piro’ Moloi is still a darling at Mochudi Centre Chiefs. Supporters across the Kgatleng region are demanding that Moloi be reinstated to his position as assistant coach after the management felt it was time to cut ties with him.
The decision has now met opposition of many kinds from Chiefs supporters who have now given the club an ultimatum to either re-employ Moloi or face devastating repercussions. It appears the club still has high mountains to climb in ironing out a plethora of problems eating away at the pedigree of the team. Supporters insist Moloi is their only stand out darling who stood by the club even when chips were down.
They say Moloi managed to convince players against all odds to play for the team last season. Even when salaries were not coming, it is said Moloi negotiated better with players to wear Chiefs jerseys with pride and represent the team. “Bring back Moloi, or we are not voting for the team to play in BTC charity,” one supporter said. “Pontsho Moloi has been with us from way back, he is not going anywhere, otherwise we are not coming for Chiefs games,” another said.
Such a demeanour has seen Moloi writing his name into Chiefs folklore-as a player and as an assistant coach. It is why these supporters made bold statements that if Moloi is not reinstated they will not attend all Chiefs games for the next season. Even worse, the supporters threaten to stop immediately voting for the team to take part in the coming BTC Charity Cup tournament expected to be played in August.
Chiefs’ management has announced major changes inside their technical dugout. Maxwell Moyo has been booted out and was swiftly replaced by Zimbabwean mentor Phelani Mabena as the head coach. Mabena is a former Sankoyo Bush Bucks gaffer. The management also announced that Mabena will be assisted by one Disono 'Banz' Molefe, a former Mogoditshane Fighters player. It is allegedly that this is a move that has hurt the supporters who believe that Chiefs should have appointed former players for the assistant coach post.
On one hand, Chiefs are adamant that they have taken a decision in the best interest of Moloi. They say they want him to further his football studies and be moulded into a better mentor for the future. When Chiefs long standing media liaison, Clifford Mogomotsi answered this publication’s enquiry, he urged people to get information before coming to a conclusion. He says the management told Chiefs membership holders at a meeting on June 30th,that Chiefs will employ a new coach who will have the liberty to appoint his new back room staff.
“We have told members who include supporters that changes will be made at the technical team, and all who were present agreed without any qualms,” he said. Mogomotsi further affirmed that they have never heard about Moloi since the last season ended. He said they have called him to a meeting but he never responded to the call up for further discussions.
Sport
Orange injects P350 000 into Phikwe marathon
Mobile network Orange Botswana is committed to supporting the development of local sport. Through its sponsorship, the company will be able to promote and market the sport. According to Maano Masisi, the company believes that sport can unite people from different backgrounds.
He stated that through the sponsorship of the marathon, the company will help promote healthy lifestyles and unity among the people of Selebi Phikwe.
The Selebi Phikwe Marathon is scheduled to take place on July 29, 2023. It is expected that it will attract international, regional, and social runners. A total of P216 000 has been allocated for the prize money for the first ten places in the 42.2 km race. For the 15km and 10km races, the LOC will give away prizes to the first five places.
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.
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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.”