GU: The jury is out
Sport
Gaborone United has officially appointed a new coach in Innocent Morapedi. But having coached so many moons ago, his philosophy remains unknown as the club enters the new season in need of fine-tuning rather than a tactical overhaul. Staff writer MOSIMANEGAPE TSHOSWANE assesses whether the Nikholas Zakhem project will take off without a hitch.
In many peoples views, GUs preparations and robust recruitment during this transfer window is the epiphany for those who will ordinarily doubt the brilliance of one of the arguably best football side ever.
Since beating traditional rivals; Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Township Rollers in the 2008/09 season, the club has found it an uphill battle in replicating that the success. The return of Nikholas Zakhem as the clubs supremo and this seasons new signings are bring hope to the Moyagolee faithful.
The long suffering GU community appears to have suddenly found a renewed optimism of returning to their glory days, after watching helplessly for many seasons as arch-rivals Township Rollers snatched the title from their grasp.
In 2012, the club roped in one of the most decorated gaffers on home soil, Major David Bright a highly renowned tactician whose first job was to clean up the mess left by former coaches. By the time he vacated the post after a one season spell he seemed to have done exactly that, reminding domestic football that he is a pragmatic man whose football ideologies have been appealing even to the purists.
Bright won the 2013 Mascom Top 8 cup and secured qualification for the CAF confederation. After Bright, Rahman Gumbo was approached to rescue a dying season but the GU ship remained stagnant. Gumbos departure was followed by the return of Philemon Makhwengwe. It was his second home coming after bout of Coca-Cola cup success in 2012. However, his second coming was without success.
There is however a deep rooted scepticism that GU is in want of a coach the calibre of Morapedi, who is anticipated to be the care-taker of a squad that was marred in their last season.
Pontsho Moloi, who was in charge on interim basis, instilled faith in young players so much so that when the season prematurely ended because of the coronavirus in March 2020, GU was in fourth position and in contention for league title.
But from a distance, Moloi looks to have somehow transformed previous terms failures into a pot of gold with the team rising to every occasion presented to them. For Morapedi, this would represent success and the soft spoken mentor is aware even this will be difficult.
However, GU players are said to be lining-up to claim their first ever premiership title in 11 seasons. The new coach is somehow cagey. Morapedi would never say it publicly but everybody is playing for the league, it will be too early to say they are right on course with his appointment.
But can it happen? The jury is still out until the end of the campaign as the executive committee, inclusive of GU chief financier, Nicholas Zakhem finished the quest to recruit new players. The Gaborone based outfit will however have to see-off the trio of Jwaneng Galaxy, Township Rollers and Orapa United to return to golden days.
GUs wrecking ball has however arrived when they failed to win the heart of former talented winger Kabelo Seakanyeng. He has gone to play football in Morocco where offers were reportedly better.
Deadly striker, Kapamba has been de-registered. He was instrumental in the clubs resurgence last season.
Beyond dispute is GUs mantle as a contender and their reaction to both Seakanyeng and Kapambas exit. For all considered factors the former players were the country-class inspiration behind the clubs last strongest title challenge of the Premier League era. The blow however prompted a swift and considered response.
The management seems to have identified several weak spots in the squad. They also pinpointed some problems that undermined their thrilling title challenge last season and have addressed them.
GU spokesperson Romeo Benjamin agrees; The team is well oiled to win some championships. He added, All our players are ready for selection to compete, coaches are spoilt for choice.
The team has brought into their fold new recruits; Thatayaone Ramatlapeng, Mothusi Johnson, Karabo Phiri and hard tackling defender Thato Kebue.
Much therefore now depends on the skipper, Alphoso Modisaotsile and the awareness of the strikers in front of him. The continued upward trajectory of Obonye Maome and the stability of new signee, Ramatlapeng can bring what will surely determine the success of the team. Up front, the club lacks absolutely nothing. They have Kekaetswe Moloi – a proven goal scorer and veteran attacker Joel Mogorosi.
However, GU is now criticised for adopting a robust move when building for silverware. In search of glory and countrywide appeal, just like Rollers and Center Chiefs used to do, the team is castigated for paying little attention to their youth academy and adopting an almost mercenary belief that success literally has a price.
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.
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.”