GU monitors Sithole case
Sport
Mochudi Centre Chiefs Head Coach, Michael Sithole
Troubled Gaborone United are said to be keeping a keen eye on Michael Sithole’s precarious situation at Mochudi Centre Chiefs. The award winning coach’s contract expires next year February and reports indicate that Chiefs are stalling to renew.
Despite the club's very secret courting of their former coach in the aftermath of the fall of top 8 winning coach, Rahman Gumbo, there remains the possibility that another foreign coach could compete for the post.
GU, too, continue to sound out candidates. Yet Sithole is understood to be confident he will return to the club where he remains the only coach to have given them the premier league title since 2009.
The possibility that Gaborone United, currently 8th in the Premier League under the interim stewardship of Dragojlo and national under 23 coach Oris Radipotsane , failed to qualify for this year top 8 finals has been mooted as potential ways to accelerate Sithole's return.
While that would have serious and or little implications for the club's attempts to balance the books where finances are sometimes an issue, sources close to the negotiations have suggested that Sithole would actually not be discouraged from returning, particularly that the side failed to defend their top 8 title.
Yet, having seen the club‘s ship hitting an iceberg and treading in chartered waters, other obstacles still need to be cleared. If Sithole‘s desire is to return to a club where people appreciate change and let patience lead the way, he is mindful, too, of the fact that coaching is always a thankless job. However, principal among his concerns, it is reported that it is the amount of power he would be permitted to wield at the Reds.
The continued failure of the club in the domestic league still remains a headache at Gaborone United, even though coaches and management are reluctant to admit it, they are equally frustrated. However, if he is to rejoin, Sithole would have to accept the existing structure in place at the club particularly that little has changed after his departure.
It remains to be seen whether Sithole will feel he is able to accept the GU hierarchy, despite the acceptance that further significant squad strengthening will take place in the next transfer window. Reinforcements will be made in central midfield and with the addition of a back-up goalkeeper together with other few strikers. Green Lovers’ Moathodi Ralesota is linked to the club.
While GU will only publicly address the coach situation once the festive season break is complete, discussions are said to be taking place behind the scenes and the club has sounded out potential replacements for Rahamn Gumbo, who became sixth full-time coach sacked by the club since winning the league. The former GU and Township Rollers mentor is understood to be top of their list, he is cagey to admit anything as of now. When reached for comment, Sithole said he is unable to talk because he is in a meeting.
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.”