Chiefs in fresh financial dispute
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Saturday April 23, 2022 06:00
Mookodi resigned from his position this week citing unpaid dues as the reason behind his shock departure from the club. Mookodi told Mmegi Sport yesterday that he is owed in the range of P20,000 and has not been given a satisfactory response from the management about the issue. “Since I joined the club in September last year, I have not been getting my salary and I have been patient because I knew the club’s financial situation at the time.
But right now the club has been doing well in terms of gate takings since it moved to its home ground, so there is no reason for not paying me what I am entitled to [be paid],” Mookodi said. Mookodi also said since the club is moving away from being run as a society, it has to show by avoiding such recurring financial disputes. “We have to protect this badge and if the club continues to soil its name through such financial disputes, it will work against the brand in the future,” he said. Mookodi said he will continue to engage the club management on the issue. He also said for now he is not thinking of taking the matter to the courts. “I do not think the matter will go that far.
My hope is that I will sit down with the management and sort this thing like gentlemen. I have no problem with Chiefs as a club,” he said. Mookodi becomes the second member of the current Chiefs executive committee to step down before the end of its tenure after former vice-chairperson, Olebile Sikwane left last year.
Despite resigning from the club, Mookodi said his journey as the club’s communications manager was a fruitful one. He said during his tenure, he managed to revive the supporters' branches that seemed to have given up on the club since its relegation. “I have enjoyed my journey at the club. There is that certain vibe at Magosi that you cannot see anywhere in the country, especially with the supporters,” he said.
Mookodi also said he does not rule out the possibility of returning to the club management in the future as long as things are done properly. He also thanked the chairpersons of the supporters' branches for giving him the much-needed support during his time as the communications manager.
He also said it is in the best interest of the club for the management to meet all the stakeholders, which include supporters, elders, and the technical team among others and work collectively. Magosi are currently among two other teams, Black Forest and Holy Ghost, who are favourites to win the Debswana First Division South League.