Sankoyo promotion excites Maun
Shingirai Madondo | Friday May 2, 2014 15:33
A recent visit to Maun revealed an excited population ready to enjoy the benefits of having Premier League team. A resident, Samuel Montsho is optimistic of business prospects that will come with Sankoyo’s promotion to the elite league. The street vendor expects good business when the big names of local football come for a duel with Sankoyo.
He cannot wait for the day his beloved club will be playing against crowd pullers like Township Rollers, Extension Gunners, Gaborone United and Mochudi Centre Chiefs. “Gunners and Rollers command a lot of following wherever they go. I am looking forward to sell more on the day (they come),” said Montsho who was in Francistown on Saturday to watch Sankoyo draw 1-1 with Sladen Eagles and qualify for the Premier League.
Like Montsho, another Maun resident, Selina Ntana has already started counting profits. The businesswoman, runs a shop a stone’s throw from the Maun Sports Complex. “My reaction to Sankoyo’s promotion is two-fold. First, I am a die-hard soccer fan. Second, I am a businesswoman. I run a shopping complex next to the sports complex,” explained Ntana.
Sankoyo fans cannot wait for the next soccer season to roar into life. A number of them told Mmegi Sports that their team has got the capacity to pull surprises and bring down giants in the Premier League.
“Besides, this team is going to give us the rare and glorious opportunity to watch the best footballers from all parts of the country,” said one fan.
Sankoyo head coach, Gadimang Tiiso, who has been likened to Jose ‘Special One’ Mourinho of Chelsea said the club is not in the Premier League to make numbers but to challenge for top honors. He said they are out to make history as the first debutantes to win the national title.
About Sankoyo Bush Bucks
* Founded by a group of boys in the village of Sankoyo as a social club in 1996.
* The village headman, Gokgathang Timmax Moalosi and other elders funded the club.
* Club was formed because there was no football team in Sankoyo, a village with a population of less than 1,000 people. *The club is associated with Maun because it plays its home games in the tourist town. It also enjoys huge support in the town.
* In 1998, the club joined Division One League in the Nhabe region
* The club enjoys the backing of Sankoyo Tshwaragano Management Trust. The trust operates a lodge, cultural village and trophy and photography concessions.
* William Dikgosi was the first club chairman. He stepped down after the club won promotion from the regional league to the First Division.
* The 39-year-old Mokolobetsi Pelekekae is the current chairman
* The club currently has a squad of about 30 players with an average age of 25.
* The coach, 31-year-old, Gadimang Tiiso, arrived when the club was campaigning in the Nhabe Division One League and masterminded promotion to the First Division.
l After attending a few coaching clinics, Tiiso coached Maun Terrors before joining Sankoyo Bush Bucks. He played for Terrors at one point before quitting after realising that his passion lies in coaching.