Chiefs torn between two foreign players
Sport
On-loan Mutari was supposed to be released
Title chasing Mochudi Centre Chiefs are torn between two foreign defenders as they seek to reinforce their squad ahead of the second round of the beMOBILE premier league. Of the two they retain one and release the other.
It has since emerged that Centre Chiefs executive committee is divided over a Malawian player who was bought to replace on loan Wilboard Mutari.
Reports suggest that team coach, Mike Sithole felt the Malawian player is not what the ‘doctor prescribed’ and height is his main undoing. It is reported that Sithole as the leader of the technical team feels that the Malawian player, known as Chikombutso Kanyenda cannot aid his side defensively particularly at a critical time when they are chasing defending champions, Township Rollers.
“Sithole believes Kanyenda is not competent enough to cope with the demanding pace of the premier league. He also believes that at worst Mutari should be left to finish his season at Magosi,” a source disclosed.
However, reports coming out of the Chiefs board room paint a picture of club officials battling against one another. It is reported that Sithole as the head coach is trying every trick in the book to protect his ‘homeboy’ Mutari from leaving Magosi camp. There is a feeling on the ground that Kanyenda was sidelined because he is viewed as a great threat to Mutari.
To further complicate the issue, reports indicate that captain of the team Pontsho Moloi, who retains much love from high ranking club officials had confirmed to club president, Mclean Letshwiti that the Malawian better fits the mould of a defender the team needs.
The development therefore pits Letshwiti against Sithole – one is responsible for paying players while the other is tasked with fielding the players in pursuit of positive results. Observers nonetheless mention that an investor should not raise his bar to control his technical team more so that he sees players from a distance.
Letshiwti who is believed to be fuming at the decision to dump Kanyenda is said to be contemplating the next step, but according to informants he sees no other possible solution as Kanyenda’s career credentials speaks volumes.
Contacted for comment, Mike Sithole declined to respond to the allegations: “I am not allowed to talk about players issues to the media unless it is about a preview of the upcoming game.” He instead referred all the enquiries to Chiefs spokesperson, Clifford Mogomotsi.
The latest is that Kanyenda will be sent back to Malawi while Mutari will live to see another season in Botswana.
Chiefs’ defence has been an area of concern ever since the untimely departure of former captain Arnold Chaka. Of the 15 games, the defence has conceded 15 goals, and the team occupies second spot.
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.”