03 Jul 2023

Township Rollers management has assured the club’s supporters of a successful transition from their breakup with business magnate, Jagdish Shah.

Shah terminated his more than a decade long relationship with Mapalastina at the end of May after the club’s society declined to fulfil his demand for it to cede 20 per cent of its shares, which would have given him total control of the club.

At a press briefing and the club’s new office at Fairgrounds Mall on Friday, the club’s chairperson, Phempheretlhe Pheto indicated that they were still negotiating with potential sponsors, investors and partners to replace Shah.

“We have to admit that the transition is not an easy one because we were used to financially stability under him, and now we are in a situation where we have to ask for financial assistance,” he said.

He said in the process, they formed a taskforce team to assist in the transition.

“The task-force team, which comprises Khumo Masonya, Dumi Mmualefhe and Sydney Magagane, has been tasked with helping find investors and take care of other immediate needs like players’ welfare and contracts,” he said.

Pheto added that while they were still looking for investors, their long-term partner, Prestige Parlours Group would continue assisting financially.

He indicated that the company had bought three vehicles for the team and assisted with the new office, while they had also retained Stanbic Bank.

On other developments, Pheto said the club would announce a new coach before the pre-season to enable him to acquaint himself with the players ahead of the season.

On how the team continued to register new players without a coach, he said they were acting on the recommendations made by coach, Sergio Traguil before he left and his technical team.

“I can assure you that we will still sign more players, we are not done. We will soon unveil them together with our new kit,” he added.

Also, he said Prestige Parlours Group had agreed to sponsors their women’s team, which was relegated this season.

Pheto was however, cagey with information concerning players’ contracts and staff retention, saying it was still an ongoing process as they were still to meet with Shah to discuss the issue.

Pheto, however appreciated Shah’s contribution to the team’s success throughout the time he was with them, saying that its success under him was apparent.

“There is no bad blood between us such that should he make a u-turn, we will be willing to negotiate a new partnership with him. Rumours that we owe him a lot of money are just that, rumours,” he said.

Pheto also said the club’s shop, still undergoing finishing touches at the Fairgrounds Mall, would soon open doors. ENDS