Kavazovic anoints Tshireletso
Sport
Township Rollers’ magnificent performance across the African continent has undoubtedly earned them a fresh appeal, but reports of a heavy fall out between their coach Nikola Kavazovic and his assistant Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote threatens to over- shadow the future of the club that has now taken a remarkable lead among its local competitors.
Information gleaned from various sources inside the Rollers’ camp indicate that Mpote is the lone wolf in the Rollers technical dug out, as the head coach has resolved to taking game decisions all by himself. It is further alleged that the head coach now prefers Rollers former player Leutwetse Tshireletso who resigned last year to take a more challenging role at the technical wing of the club. Until his resignation, Tshireletso played as a defender.
The appointment of Kavazovic early last year raised eye brows, particularly after Mpote won the league with Rollers – a rare occurrence that won him coach of the season. It is believed that Mpote was equally worried when Kavazovic was employed more because he hoped to assume the roles of the demanding coaching role. But officials close to Mpote at the time managed to convince him to take the assisting role and stay put.
Why the Rollers coach is reportedly sidelining the award winning local coach is yet to be established, however what has been established is that the coach is fond of Tshireletso, who he went as far as praising on Twitter. The tweet has since fuelled the conviction that he may be grooming him for future assignments. “Botswana has a rising coach, and more definitely in the near future with likes of Leu Tshireletso. He is an amazing gift, tactician, and charismatic, quick decision maker and authoritative… bright future for Leu. I am happy to have him next to me,” Kavazovic tweeted.
Sources have said that the Rollers head coach prefers Tshireletso because he is willing to learn and does not question his decisions much. It is further alleged that Mpote used to question Kavazovic’s tactics but his persistence has now earned him the wrath of his superior.
Whether Mpote will eventually move on or accept the existing turn of events is yet to be seen, but the former TASC player has been endeared to Rollers fans.
Having attained the knack to coax a winning side for a team of players with ballooning egos, Mpote was easily nominated coach of the season and therefore became the first Motswana coach to win the league with Rollers (unbeaten) since Botswana Telecommunication Corporation (BTC) came on board. Ironically, the gap widening between Kavazovic and Mpote has not yet threatened to derail the Rollers ship.
The team is bold amid the fury of coaches’ storm. They are fresh from winning their second Mascom Top 8 cup and are still in contention to defend the BTC premiership title. The Gaborone giants are in second position, equal in points with Jwaneng Galaxy. Both have 46 points but Rollers have a game in hand. When reached for comment, coach Kavazovic declined to field question from this publication saying that he would only talk to the media after the game this weekend.
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.
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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.”