Rollers, GU brawl reach boardroom
Sport
An ill-tempered Gaborone derby has come and gone but the remnants of the affair between Township Rollers and Gaborone United have left the football pitch and flown right into the boardroom.
As early as Tuesday morning, the consequences borne out of the rivalry of these two teams reached another height. While GU were eventual winners on the field of play by a 2-1 score line, it appears that more was yet to be settled at the office of Mfolo Mfolo, the head of the secretariat of the football federation.
WeekendSport has uncovered that GU have bitterly complained about the credentials of Rollers coaches who up to this date occupy the technical dugout. It is indicated that the club wrote a letter asking the association to exercise vigilance and competence on Rollers’ club license portfolio.
Initially, sources said that GU were suspicious about Frank Nuttall credentials as Rollers head coach and were ready to appeal the outcome of the game had they lost it. But as the issue continues to boil over, it came to the fore that GU have questioned the qualification of Rollers coaches, Zachariah Mudzazi and Leutlwetse Tshireletso.
Muzdzazi is the assistant coach of Rollers albeit registered as the development coach. Tshireletso sits on the Rollers bench as second assistant but has no coaching qualification, according to sources.It appears The Reds had to apportion the blame and not necessarily do the whistle blowing. This came to the fore after BFA piled pressure on GU to rectify the situation regarding their coach, Pontsho Moloi. GU are in a contract lockdown with their gaffer, Philemon Makhwengwe but have promoted assistant coach, Moloi to lead the club.
The realization is that Moloi is not fit for GU office as far as qualifications are concerned. It is said that Moloi is without any coaching certificate because the coaching C license under his possession was deemed bogus by the then BFA technical director, Serame Letsoaka. Rollers are threatening to escalate the matter and would want BFA to act.The association is yet to provide light on the matter. GU on the other side remains steadfast that they cannot hire another new coach until their legal battle with Makhwengwe is finally dealt with.
The whole issue is rumbling but it is of course turning few heads. While BFA called Rollers representatives to hear their side of the story, some are crying foul that the association has begun to treat GU with kids’ gloves.Rollers is said to have managed to provide more credential evidence about all their coaches. The club is said to have expressed shock that BFA is made to run helter-skelter by GU yet it is the same association that gave them high marks in agreement that they have satisfied club licensing requirements.
Rollers media liaison, Phempheretlhe Pheto in a brief interview said he knows nothing about the matter but will inquire and revert to this publication.“I have no readily information about that issue, but let me go and ask my superiors, I will get back to you as soon as possible,” he said.
GU could not provide any clarification on the matter but some within the executive committee say they will clear doubts over their coaches but BFA should also check other teams because it is not only GU.
Both Mfolo Mfolo and Setete Phuthego could not answer their phones when contacted to offer clarity. It is said the two BFA administrators were the authorities when Rollers was called to answer for the allegations.
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.
This content is locked
Login To Unlock The Content!
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.”
Sport
BFA to pay Taylor P330 000
Botswana Football Association (BFA) has been ordered to pay its former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Goabaone Taylor over P330 000 as a compensation for her unfair dismissal last year February.
This content is locked
Login To Unlock The Content!