Makgantais move DRC perfect
Sport
A surprise move early this week by last season’s wonder boy, Onkabetse “Major” Makgantai to join DRC giants AS Vita for two years has been hailed by local football pundits, despite some arguing that it is an ill advised move.
The 21 year old Phikwe born winger cum striker has not been spared from criticism, since the news of his move surfaced. Those who deride him, make reference to the debacle that struck Dirang Moloi, Jerome Ramatlhakwana and Phenyo Mongala three years ago after signing with Don Bosco.
Makgantai’s move has created so much brouhaha in football circles with many arguing that he could have settled for South African side Platinum Stars. However football commentator Molatlhegi “Octopus” Mangole has differed with them. “To me it is a good move we should just divert our market from South Africa,” the former Mogoditshane Fighters administrator and RB2 analyst further added, “ in those countries you have easy access to Europe, especially the French and Portuguese speaking countries. This is an advantage for the player because he can end up playing in Europe than exporting him to South African where there is no exposure,” he said.
“I don’t think it is wise move because the environment is totally different maybe if he could have gone to South Africa because it is closer to home. Besides will he get game time there? But character and attitude is the only thing that would save him of which I am not sure about. But all the best to him there,” another football commentator Fabian Zulu said.
The former Nico and Orapa United player’s move to DRC came after failing to impress the technical team of the PSL rookies Baroka FC following his impressive performance at the COSAFA tournament where he emerged player of the tournament. “The move is perfect according to me because football is a very short career and you should capitalize while your physical being allows it, and if you look at the remunerations from that side, he can save enough and become someone we look after in future,” football analyst Monty Gagomokgwa said. The player is expected to earn U$ 5, 5 (P 55, 000) monthly while accommodated in guarded club estates.
Makgantai will leave his club Orapa United with big smile as they are expected to cash at least U$50 000 (P500, 0000). “ There are some factors of the contract that we are still finalizing so for now I cannot reveal how much the move would cost,” Orapa United communications manager Tebatso Hule told this paper on Thursday.
For their part Football Union of Botswana (FUB) who evacuated the stranded trio in 2014 said they were not consulted. “This is his personal choice remember and we are not a recruiting agency but we would have appreciated it if they consulted with us but he is fine we wish him well there,” FUB Secretary General Kgosana Masaseng said.
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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.”