Cap in hand, TASC plead for support
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday April 20, 2026 06:00
However, despite their strong showing, the lack of finance is taking its toll.
TASC recently issued a sponsor-player donation sheet, which is meant to raise funds to support the club's participation in league games to be played in Jwaneng from April 17 to 19.
The club is seeking assistance with transport, accommodation, meals and game day refreshments. “When BDF took a decision to stop assisting us a few years back, we fell on hard times. BDF took care of everything then. We have never had sponsorship; it has been a tough journey,” TASC coach, Boitumelo Faith Gabaseme, told MmegiSport.
“The situation is also made worse by the absence of BONA league sponsor. The league that we play is funded by a grant from Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC).”
TASC was formed in 2000, with support from the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).
The situation, according to Gabaseme is worsened by the fact that there is no league prize money.
She revealed that BONA allocated P3,000 grants to clubs for the first round, which is not enough, particularly for a struggling side like TASC. Gabaseme said such a grant is far from solving TASC problems, noting that if the mother body (BONA) is struggling with sponsorship, it also boils down to clubs.
She noted that the team has lost all its best players, such as goal shooter (GS) Cheludu David to Police, goal attacker (GA) Teedzane Keabile to Jwaneng and Kgomotso Matibini, who also joined Police.
Additionally, some senior players are nearing retirement. “We are now focusing on development, but it is still a challenge. When we play league matches in places like Selebi-Phikwe and Palapye, management has to find a way to transport and feed the team. “We also lack strong management because of financial crises. A well-funded club attracts strong management,” she highlighted the plight. Gabaseme added that TASC has quality players and they want to keep the same momentum.
According to the coach, back in the day, when BDF used to assist, they used to win the league or even finish in second position.
Without support, the team now settles for third position, although they still maintain number one in the northern zone. “That is why we came up with the sponsor-player initiative, as a way of pleading with members of the public to assist. So far, we have not received any response; we remain hopeful,” Gabaseme said.
“We are struggling. To groom players, you should be financially stable. With young players, you have to give them transport fare all the time, or they would not attend training,” she added. As of Thursday, Gabaseme said she was still wondering how the club would travel to Jwaneng, due to a lack of funds.