Baroka FC track Kavazovic
Sport
The future of Township Rollers head coach Nikola Kavazovic continues to be a subject of major speculation following South African based club, Baroka FC’s latest enquiry on the availability of the Serbian in the next coming season.
Baroka who two seasons ago signed former Rollers coach Mark Harrison to become their Technical Director are said to be eager to use the same stencil of negotiations on Kavazovic to help turn around the fortunes of a team that endured a difficult season. ‘Bakgaga’ as Baroka is affectionately known was on the verge of relegation as the South African PSL season came to a close. The team sacked their head coach Kgoloko Thobejane in March.
Should the move materialize, Kavazovic will join forces with Botswana international Mpho Kgaswane who was formerly with Gaborone United. While Kaizer Chiefs and Freestate Stars have previously expressed interest in the Serbian, Baroka FC are said to be fast tracking negotiations, primarily to beat their nemesis Polokwane City. Though a number of individuals claiming to represent these two teams have enquired about Kavazovic to poll his interest in the position, it is still not clear if Rollers will deflect all enquiries and stage a fight for their man.
Kavazovic’s contract does not expire until June 2019, and he is believed to be earning around P 50 000-P 60 000 per month excluding winning bonuses. The Serbian is believed to be playing cards close to his chest, but having won the Mascom Top 8 cup in his first season and most importantly taking Rollers to the group stages of the champions’ league; Kavazovic’s stock, without doubt, has risen.
Despite accusations cast on him by his technical team, mainly for sidelining his assistant coach, Teenage Mpote, there is no doubt that Kavazovic whose coaching role model is Manchester City’s Pep Gaurdiola, has achieved beyond measure. He is believed to be interested in taking another new challenge, and one of the South African powerhouses will definitely suit his expertise. When reached for comment, Kavazovic conceded that a lot of South African based teams have shown interest in him. He however said that all other enquiries be taken to his agent who is based in South Africa.
“Yes many South African based teams have asked about my availability, but it is only right you know that everything is in the hands of my agent there in SA,” he said. Kavazovic admitted that not only Baroka is after him. He said even Kaizer Chiefs, Freestate Stars, Polokwane City as well as Supersport United have shown interest in him. Kavazovic insisted people must remember that he is still contracted to Rollers and that fact alone must be respected.
Township Rollers on the other hand appears unmoved about these ‘else reports’ and are confident that Kavazovic will deliver as promised. The Rollers coach is born a serial winner and his coaching resume speaks volumes. Part of his coaching resume says in 1998, Kavazovic graduated from Belgrade Sports University as the youngest and highest educated football coach in SR Yugoslavia.
In January 2012, Kavazovic moved to Asia, Tajikistan, and became Istiqlol FC head coach. In his first season there, Istiqlol won the Tajikistan Super cup and AFC Presidents Cup. Also, they won a silver medal in the Tajikistan elite league, and lost Tajikistan Cup finals against Regar Tad Az after a penalty series
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.”