Clubs� war chest tops P30m . . .

Mqondisi Dube | Friday August 8, 2014 13:21

 

The Premier League has burgeoned into a competitive product over the seasons attracting multi million sponsorship from be MOBILE, a cellular phone services provider.

However, the sponsorship brakes have been temporarily slammed as the competition sputters into life tonight. 

As the Premier League show blooms into a colourful extravaganza, boardrooms are abuzz with multi million pula figures.

In a nutshell, administrators are drawing up massive budgets totalling more than P30million. Below are estimated club budgets and as expected, league champions, Township Rollers have the biggest budget at around P3,6 million per season.

Club: Township Rollers

Budget: P3,6 million

Bafana Phemperetlhe Pheto (spokesperson): “We are in the process of finalising our budget. The transfer window is not closed so it is difficult to tell how much we will use.

“We will only know (our budget) once we finalise the squad.

But per month we use between P280,000 and P300,000. Most of the money comes from Township Holdings (which runs the club) and the gate-takings augment that.”

Club: Mochudi Centre Chiefs

Budget: Above P2million

Clifford Mogomotsi (spokesperson):  “The amount is immense. It is over P2million for the season. The board that runs the team sources the funds. We do not rely entirely on gate-takings.”

Club: Gaborone United

Budget: About P3million

Hebert Letsebe (secretary): “We do not make much from gate-takings. The figure is around P400,000 and the rest we have to source as a club. The numerous deductions from gate-takings kill us.”

 

Club: Nico United

Budget: Around P2million

Mothusi Taolo (chairperson): “We rely mostly on our sponsor, BCL. It is a stress if you do not have a sponsor. We cannot rely on gate-takings as you can make as little as P1,000 per game. We only get something when we play big teams.”

Club: Satmos

Budget: P2.5million

Mooketsi ‘China’ Mading (director): “It is a struggle. It’s all about debts. I have a transport business and I sacrifice for the team. Most sponsors want a commitment from the mine (BCL). In the past two seasons, BCL has chipped in at crucial times. Gate-takings do not help much.”

Club: Extension Gunners

Budget: P1.8million

Kenny Motseotsile (spokesperson): “We have new partners and people should understand that this is not a sponsorship; it is a partnership.

We depend on well-wishers and our budget stands at around P150, 000 per month. On a good day we can make P200,000 from the gates.”

Club: Sankoyo Bush Bucks

Budget: P1.6million

Thato Molosi (spokesperson): It (P1.6million) is money we do not have. We are still in talks with potential sponsors. I believe something will come through, but the season will start without a sponsor for us.”

Club: Letlapeng

Budget: P1.56million

Sidney Magagane (chairperson): “Our monthly budget is around P130, 000. Since we started recruiting, we have already spent P200, 000 and we expect to use around P150, 000 this month since we only have one home game. We depend on well-wishers and we have to find ways of getting a reliable source.

We are sorted with transport, so we have to secure funding for other expenses. I believe our performance in the first game will set the tone in as far as spectator attendance is concerned.”

Club: Notwane

Budget: P1million

Kenabetsho Bainame (Team manager): “Our money comes from members’ contributions and gate-takings. As we speak, we do not have the P1million, we are still looking around for. We are trying but it’s difficult as you know the Botswana market is so small.”

Club: BR Highlanders:

Budget: P1.1million

                Breakdown: P150,000 accommodation

  P900,000 salaries

 P50,000 equipment

  P100,000 player recruitment

Lucky Buisanyang (vice chairperson) “We will cut costs through travelling same day for some matches. Most of the budget (90%) will come from Botswana Railways.

 We don’t expect much from gate-takings as we will play our home matches in Serowe. But we expect to take our home matches to Mahalapye next year.”

Club: BMC

Budget: Between P2-2.5million

Nelson Radijeng (club spokesperson): “It is a tough situation since the club does not have a sponsor.

The Godhrati family is assisting us but we have to look for a sponsor. The league does not have a sponsor as well, so it’s difficult.

Club: Orapa United

Budget: Unconfirmed

Tebatso Hule (spokesperson): “I cannot give figures at the moment, but the mine assists with transport.”

Club: Police XI

Budget: Unconfirmed

Jackson Chabota (spokesperson): I don’t have specific details now. We know the season is starting and we have something to keep us going. We are still to meet the organisation (Botswana Police) regarding the budget.”

Club: ECCO City Greens

Budget: Unconfirmed

Mababa (chairman):”We have released most of the senior players so the wage bill has gone down. It was around P120,000 per month before we let the players go and we brought in new faces.”

Club: BDF XI

Budget: Unconfirmed

Peo Keatlholotswe (PRO): “We don’t have a sponsor. Most of the money comes from gate-takings and prize money. Additionally we fund raise but it’s never enough.”

 

Club: Motlakase Power Dynamos

Budget: Unconfirmed

Major Malanga (vice chaiperson): “We cannot provide figures at the moment.”