Gunners, All Kasi extend contract

Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday January 28, 2015 10:01

Fruitful partnership: Gunners chairman, Kitso Dlamini (left) and All Kasi managing director, Ludo Kenoeng during the signing of a new agreement in Gaborone yesterday. In the middle is Gunners CEO, Orayyah Dada. PIC: KABO MPAETONA

Under the new technical sponsorship, Gunners will receive 100 jerseys to be sold to raise funds, it was revealed during a press briefing in Gaborone yesterday.

The two signed a two-year contract worth P1.2million and had expired in November. The current deal will run until the end of the season before the two parties sit down to renegotiate.

Gunners’ chairperson, Kitso Dlamini said under the short-term arrangement, All Kasi will provide the club with five sets of training kits. He said the development is expected to inspire players.

All Kasi pays Gunners P20,000 every month as part of the agreement. Players receive P1, 000 vouchers to purchase soccer boots of their choice and they will be provided with free new trainers every season.

Dlamini said they have utilised 96 percent of the P1,2 million of the technical sponsorship they received from All Kasi.

He said other outstanding issues regarding the sponsorship would be dealt with internally.

Dlamini said Gunners and All Kasi would open a centre of excellence in the near future, which would be in line with a call by the Botswana Football Association (BFA) for premier league clubs to have development sides.

Dlamini said four schools have been identified for the project in Lobatse. These are Hillside and Peleng West primary schools as well as Itireleng and Ipelegeng junior secondary schools.

He said former Gunners players would be involved in the project.

All Kasi managing director Ludo Kemoeng said youth development was overlooked in their previous arrangement.

The intension of the project, he said, was about capacity building and nurturing skills in youngsters. He added the youth must be made to understand they can make a living through football.

Kemoeng said Lobatse was traditionally known for quality football and they should not allow talent to go to waste.

“We would be giving Gunners P5, 000 every month to fund the project. We want them to be accountable for it. We will also buy equipment for the project,” he said.