The Joel in Mogorosi
Sport
Township Rollers FC and National Team Player, Joel Mogorosi
As one of the few surviving players who carried the torch when Stanley Tshosane’s Zebras made their historic appearance at the AFCON 2012, Joel Mogorosi is still playing torch bearer, and trying to revive the spirit his squad had 4 years ago at a time the chips are seemingly down at the Zebras camp, observes STAFF WRITER Mosimanegape Tshoswane.
At the newly built and refurbished Francistown Sports Complex, Joel Mogorosi‘s nick name was morphed the days when both African power houses, Burkina Faso and Mali were humbled. The nick-name ‘Fire’ has endeared him to many of Zebras faithfuls-seducing them with brute force and his sleek skill to fire the Zebras up front and ignite hopes of the team reaching the Morocco AFCON 2017.
As a captain of an arguably youthful side gathered by Peter James Butler, the inspirational Mogorosi has a Jewel to score in each and every encounter billed at Francistown stadium-the team’s new fortress.
There is bold eagerness on the part of the player to carry the hopes of the country and inspire comebacks from nowhere-when opponents seemed to have tamed the Zebras.
He took the stage once again when the Comoros look set to steal a point from Butler’s hands. He scored with aplomb and the goal took the Zebras back into contention with both Uganda and Burkina Faso looming as challengers.
These are giddy times for the speedy winger who has since accepted the huge responsibilities of not only being a captain, but also scoring goals as an up front man. He is a player with the global game at his feet, although getting to the wrong side of 30; he has claimed titles with each team he has played for. He has been a match winner at Township Rollers, Mochudi Center Chiefs and remarkably with South African based outfit, Bloemfontein Celtics. In all conceivable ways, it is an experience that can be tested in these AFCON qualifiers.
Joel’s game in the premier league is raw, but in international duty the potential is colossal. The player‘s thrust and goal threat has caught the attention and admiration of the country. Supplied endlessly by the young industrious Tsotso Ngele and pint point crosses of Galabgwe Moyana, Joel Mogorosi’s memory is stuck at the cold morning of Gabon 2012, when he returned with a broken arm- without having kicked the ball at the prestigious tournament. He is mindful of burying the dark days and return to the next edition with pride. And until recently, he still carries the torch. He has scored against Burkina Faso, Mali, Eretria and The Comoros.
To date, his career has been a pursuit of self improvement. This is a player who endlessly encourages players to give their all. Those close to him say he was never discouraged by late appearance fees and instead, put the country first. Such an entourage is common with old players, but it is rare with domestic ones. His commitment is a total reflection on the way he was brought up. He is a competitor of astute qualities who knows when to speak and work.
‘‘He is a special player, I am impressed by his work rate,’’ Butler said. In deed he is special. The name Joel is a Hebrew word meaning Jehovah is God. There are other translations that Joel means the desire to understand and help others with their problems, but at the same time becoming too involved and worrying as a result.’’ Without doubt, he helps the country to climb greater heights while heavily involved and worrying about the possibilities of playing at Morocco in 2017.
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.”