Rollers, Ndlovu rekindle affair
Orapa United head coach, Madinda Ndlovu is eager to hear from his former team, Township Rollers about the possibility of returning to the Mma Masire based side, reports suggest. The Zimbabwean national, would find it hard to resist another serious offer to become Township Rollers mentor for the second time.
However, the team’s management is taking their time and have rather chosen to procrastinate about making Ndlovu head coach again. Other reports suggest that Ndlovu has already met with Rollers’ chief financier, Jagdish Shah some two weeks ago. The details of the meeting have been kept under wraps, but sources have told this publication that Shah and Ndlovu are in good books and the tycoon prefers him (Ndlovu) to lead the team.
Meanwhile, Mark Harrison is still Rollers head coach, and management has yet to finalise the decision of whether to replace Harrison with Ndlovu. The former has so far failed to coax a winning formula for the team. Though it is said a number of individuals claiming to represent the Shah led club have enquired about Ndlovu to poll his interest in the position, all enquiries have been deflected.
Ndlovu on the other hand is believed to be waiting for senior members of the Rollers hierarchy to make serious contact. Those close to him say the Zimbabwean has resolved to say nothing publicly until he knows Rollers' intentions. He would, however, be disappointed if there is no approach, with reports further saying the Orapa life is not interesting to him.
Having won league titles with two big clubs in the country, Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Township Rollers, and a top 8 cup with Orapa United, Ndlovu’s stock, without doubt, has risen. He has signed a contract extension with United, but reports say, if need be, Rollers’ purse can buy him out of his contract. While at Rollers, Ndlovu, just like Harrison, attained A license coaching certificate.
According to reports, Ndlovu believes he could extract the best from Rollers squad, regularly labelled country-class; despite rarely delivering performances to match this for most of this season. He has also worked with few players at both Orapa United and Rollers and is said to be confident that his preparatory methods and tactical intelligence would have an immediate impact.
Though he has labelled coaching as 'a thankless job', Madinda regards a new challenge with former club as an exceptional case, sources claim. “It's special because it is one of his former teams,' said one of his closest confidants.
“Normally you have to return to one of your former clubs when you are older, but with this Rollers side, there is a different motivation, different players. It is a special club with a special culture of football. He would welcome the chance to speak to Rollers about this job,” the friend further revealed.
The Rollers squad is one of the most expensive in this country. Although a large chunk of the blame is thrown on the side of the coach, issues of bonuses and player favouritism are evidently putting the club on the back foot.
Ndlovu has twice won the premier league title with Mochudi Centre Chiefs. He left the club under a cloud, crossing to rivals Township Rollers. At the first time of asking in 2013-14 at Rollers, Ndlovu remarkably won the league with them. As things stand, his team Orapa United tops the league standings as they are seeking to mount a serious challenge for more silverware. He is expected to steward them in the CAF competitions, and should he move back to Rollers, a similar assignment awaits him.
Orapa United is said to be worried about the recent speculation but have chosen to keep quite unless prompted to speak. The same move is adopted by Rollers. But Madinda when contacted downplayed every report that links him to Rollers. ‘‘I know nothing about Rollers interest in me, actually i am happy with Orapa United,’’ he said.
The intention to bring back Ndlovu will mean Harrison’s nomadic life in coaching continues.
Harrison was the goalkeeper coach of Everton before becoming coach and assistant manager of Barrow, and later player-manager of Stafford Rangers and then the reserve coach and assistant manager of Oxford United in the Championship league. Interestingly, he gained his UEFA A license at the young age of 33. He later had a spell as coach of the Bangladesh national football team
Harrison then went on to manage Fortune in the South African NFD and later Hurriya in the Maldives. He was employed to assist Mpumalanga Black Aces in the South African Premier Soccer League in 2011. He was promoted to head coach position for the remainder of the 2010–11 season, but parted with the club at the end of the campaign. He went on to coach African Warriors in the National First Division
Harrison took up the job as head coach of Bay Stars, in South Africa's third tier, the SAFA Second Division in the 2012-13 season. However, he left during the season to join Chippa United. He was appointed head coach of Chippa United in April 2013 but despite never losing a game, was unable to prevent the team from being relegated at the end of the 2012–13 season.
He resigned from his position after four games in the 2013–14 season and became head coach of Golden Arrows on 7 October 2013. In January 2015 he was appointed head coach of Zimbabwean club, CAPS United. Harrison resigned on 16 June 2015, the same day he was announced as the head coach of Township Rollers.
Sport
Debswana injected P40 million into sports
Debswana, the leading diamond mining company in Botswana, has made a significant investment in sports development over the past five years. With a total expenditure of over P40 million, the company has demonstrated its commitment to promoting and supporting sports in the country. This was revealed by Andrew Motsomi, the Managing Director of Debswana, during the BNSC annual sponsors night.
The funds were disbursed to various National Sport Associations (NSAs) to aid in their preparations for regional and international sporting competitions. The Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) organized the sponsors night to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of businesses and individuals to the development of sports in Botswana.
Debswana was honored with the platinum award, the highest recognition given by the BNSC, for its outstanding contribution of over P4 million to sports development in the financial year 2021-2022. In his keynote address, Motsomi highlighted the challenging global economic climate, with many companies implementing cost-cutting measures due to the effects of COVID-19, geopolitical challenges, and elevated inflation. Despite these challenges, Debswana remains unparalleled in its commitment to sports development.
Motsomi emphasized the importance of sports in the economy and the nation’s pride, as outlined in Vision 2036. He urged the BNSC and NSAs to adopt innovative and sustainable methods of commercializing sports in Botswana. This includes monetizing initiatives such as promoting athletic events internationally to optimize the sport value chain.
One notable contribution by Debswana in 2022 was its partnership with the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA). The company announced a P9 million sponsorship for the BAA, spanning three years from 2022 to 2025. The BAA will receive P3 million annually to prepare for major events such as the Africa Championships, World Championships, Commonwealth Games, World Junior Championships, and the road to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Debswana also sponsored the Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) awards with a generous amount of P412, 000. The partnership between Debswana and BoBA began in 2010, with the sponsorship steadily increasing over the years. The mining company’s support for grassroots development was evident in its P6 million sponsorship for the Re Ba Bona Ha sports development program, spread over three years from 2022 to 2024.
Football has also received significant support from Debswana. The company’s sponsorship has strengthened the Botswana Football Association’s (BFA) capacity to run leagues, organize tournaments, and develop grassroots programs. In the 2022/2023 season, Debswana renewed its sponsorship of the Botswana National First Division League (NFDL) with a contribution of P3.9 million.
Debswana’s contributions have played a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and gender equality in football. The company actively supports women’s football initiatives, empowering female footballers and providing them with opportunities. This commitment has led to the rise of successful women footballers in Botswana, inspiring a new generation of aspiring sportswomen.
Furthermore, Debswana demonstrated its support for the senior women’s national team by taking care of their camping needs before their maiden appearance in the 2022 WAFCON tournament in Morocco. This patriotic gesture provided the team with intensive training to prepare for the continental showpiece.
According to the BNSC, Debswana’s injection of over P40 million into sports development over the past five years showcases its unwavering commitment to promoting and supporting sports in Botswana.
The company’s contributions have benefited various sports associations, including athletics, boxing, and football, and have played a significant role in fostering inclusivity, gender equality, and national pride. Debswana’s dedication to sports development sets an example for other companies and organizations to follow, ensuring the continued growth and success of sports in Botswana.
Sport
Botswana’s Paris Olympics dream in tatters
Botswana’s dream of sending a strong contingent to the Paris Olympics in 2024 seems to be a pipedream at this point. With just eight months left until the prestigious event, many athletes are still struggling to qualify, raising concerns about the country’s representation at the world’s biggest sporting event.
Looking back at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Botswana had a team of 16 athletes competing in various sports such as athletics, swimming, judo, and boxing. It was a successful year for local sports, as multiple sporting codes secured a spot at the Olympics. However, in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which was plagued by multiple postponements due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Botswana’s qualification numbers slightly decreased, with only 14 athletes representing the country in athletics, weightlifting, boxing, and swimming.
One of the main issues facing sports development in Botswana is the neglect of certain sporting codes, particularly those involving jumps and other field events. This lack of focus on these disciplines puts the country at a disadvantage when it comes to ensuring a larger number of representatives at events like the Olympics.
In terms of athletics, Botswana has a strong track record of producing top-quality athletes. Letsile Tebogo, for example, won two medals (silver and bronze) at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Tebogo, along with Bayapo Ndori, Leungo Scotch, Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, and Tshepiso Masalela, have already qualified for the upcoming Olympics. However, the female athletes and others are still waiting for their chance to secure a spot in the 2024 calendar.
The situation is even more dire in boxing, as the local pugilists had a difficult outing at the Paris 2024 Boxing Africa Qualifiers held in Senegal in September. Most of the boxers were eliminated in the preliminary rounds, with only Keamogetse Kenosi making it to the quarterfinals before being knocked out. With two more qualification tournaments scheduled, there is still a chance for redemption, but the Botswana Boxing Association is awaiting the Technical Team Report to determine the final list of competitors.
Weightlifting has also faced its fair share of challenges, with Botswana’s first-ever weightlifting Olympian, Magdeline Moyengwa, forced to quit the sport due to unforeseen circumstances. The lack of funds has been a major setback for the weightlifting federation, making it difficult to secure a spot at the Olympics. Currently, only Alphius Kagiso is expected to compete at the Africa Senior Championships and the World Cup, which are crucial for Olympic qualification.
Judo, unfortunately, seems to be in a poor state as well. The lack of funds and inactivity have prevented judokas from competing and gaining the necessary points for qualification. Despite having potential athletes such as Tumiso Phuthego, Botho Babutsi, Lorraine Pulamoeng, and Tirelo Lekoko, the Botswana Judo Federation has been unable to secure the funds needed for them to participate in qualifying tournaments.
In conclusion, Botswana’s dream of sending a strong team to the Paris Olympics in 2024 is currently a pipedream. The lack of qualification in various sporting codes, including boxing, weightlifting, and judo, is a cause for concern. The neglect of certain disciplines and the financial challenges faced by sports federations have hindered the development and participation of athletes. However, there is still hope for redemption with upcoming qualification tournaments, and the athletes and federations remain optimistic about their chances of securing a spot at the Olympics.
Sport
BAA nominated for Member Federation Award
The Botswana Athletics Association has been nominated as one of the six finalists for the Member Federations Award at the upcoming World Athletics Awards 2023. This recognition is a testament to the association’s outstanding work and accomplishments throughout the year, which have positively contributed to the growth and profile of the sport.
One of the association’s notable achievements in 2023 was its work with sprinter Letsile Tebogo. Tebogo, a 20-year-old athlete, emerged as a rising star in the world of athletics. As a two-time world U20 100m champion, he showcased his talent and dedication by becoming a senior world medallist. Tebogo claimed the silver medal in the 100m event and the bronze medal in the 200m event at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. His remarkable performance made him the first African man to win a 100m medal and the first man from Botswana to win a medal in any event at the World Athletics Championships.
Tebogo’s success is a testament to the Botswana Athletics Association’s commitment to nurturing and developing local talent. By providing the necessary support and training, the association has played a crucial role in shaping Tebogo into a world-class athlete. His achievements serve as an inspiration and positive role model for aspiring athletes not only in Botswana but also across the African continent.
The Member Federations Award recognizes a Member Federation that has distinguished itself through its accomplishments and contributions to the sport. The six finalists were nominated by each of the six area associations, highlighting the exceptional work done by these federations.
Among the other nominees is Athletics Australia, representing Oceania. Australia had a remarkable year, hosting the World Cross Country Championships and the Maurie Plant Meeting, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event. Australian athletes also achieved great success at the World Athletics Championships, winning six medals, including a gold medal in the pole vault by Nina Kennedy.
Chile’s Federacion Atletica de Chile, representing South America, has made significant strides in promoting athletics in the country. Hosting the Pan American Games and organizing five World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger events, the federation has doubled athletics participation in Chile. They have also focused on training officials and developing their Kids’ Athletics program.
The Real Federacion Espanola de Atletismo, representing Europe, had a successful year with their athletes winning five medals at the World Athletics Championships. The federation introduced innovative formats and projects at national and grassroots levels, while also working towards key objectives of the World Athletics World Plan.
The Athletic Association of Thailand, representing Asia, played a crucial role in hosting the 25th Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok. They have also established the Asian Athletics Association’s headquarters at Thammasat University, where development activities are held for the entire region. The association is actively working on developing athletics at the grassroots level and is a participant in the Kids’ Athletics program.
Lastly, USA Track & Field, representing NACAC, had an exceptional year with their athletes winning 29 medals at the World Athletics Championships. They topped the medal table and achieved championship and world records. The federation also focused on grassroots programs, coach and official development, and growing commercial revenue for the sport.
The winner of the Member Federations Award will be announced in early December as part of the World Athletics Awards 2023. Each of the nominated federations has made significant contributions to the sport of athletics and has positively impacted their respective regions. Their dedication and achievements serve as an inspiration to athletes and sports enthusiasts worldwide.