09 Aug 2022

Gaborone United director has promised to ensure that the club has an office and playground.

Nicolas Zakhem said this on the sidelines of the club’s awards ceremony in Gaborone on Saturday.

Zakhem said it was unfortunate that GU continued to rent out offices and playgrounds despite the club’s statute and rich history of success.

“GU does not have a place to call home as it does not own a playground or even an office. One wonders what has happened for such an old club to find itself in a position where it moves from one place to the other renting offices and playgrounds. Personally, as an investor and director of Gaborone United, I will put this issue to rest,” he said.

He added that the current arrangement was not healthy and even shameful for the club.

On the awards, Zakhem said the feat was a contribution of all the club’s employees and supporters, therefore those who did not receive awards should not feel that they were not good enough.

Zakhem also commended the team for winning a double, something he said was a mammoth task and a joint effort particularly that the team went through a lengthy dry spell.

“Everyone has played a crucial role in the team’s success though the awards are limited. I am hopeful that the ceremony will be much bigger and better next year,” he said.

On one hand, Zakhem said most of the clubs in the country had gone through a rough patch from their formidable years, working hard to graduate from being run as societies and attaining the professionalism statute.

“Despite the challenges, the struggle continues and efforts are being made to sustain the incredible foundation laid by the team’s founding members,” Zakhem said.

He further said despite the club’s rich history, it was important that they devoted their energy on the future development of football in order to create employment opportunities as well as developing young people.

“Let me also assure that GU like any other football team is in safe hands because its leadership has a common goal of guiding the team to prosperity,” Zakhem said.

Meanwhile, GU recognised some of the club’s management and also rewarded its players for excellent performance that resulted in clinching both the league title and the Orange FA Cup in the last season.

Individual players both from the women’s and men’s teams were recognised for performing exceptionally well. The awards ceremony also culminated with team’s 55th anniversary.

Awards winners included Thatayaone Kgamanyane and Mpho Kgaswane who emerged as the most decorated players of the evening with the former walking way with top goal scorer and player of the season awards while the latter got the goal of the season and supporters’ player of the season awards.

The trio of Herbert Letsebe, Alfonse Modisaotsile and Lebogang Ditsile received the director’s award.

Alford Velaphi won young player of the season, Thato Kebue emerged as the most improved player while Goitseone Phoko walked away with the goalkeeper of the season award.

Mothusi Johnson was chosen the most disciplined player of the season while Tshepo Maikano won the players’ player of the season award

In the women’s category, Kelebogile Magaga won the top goal scorer award.

Tlamelo Pheresi was selected as players’ player of the season and Kelebogile Modimoeng won the player of season award. ENDS