We Want To Stay In Canaan: Rollers Fans
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Monday October 5, 2015 10:13
Rollers members were unanimous that the arrival of investor, Jagdish Shah had heralded a refreshing era and propelled the club to a new pedestal.
The meeting was called as efforts to find a lasting solution to a bitter two-year ownership impasse gathered pace.
The Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Tebogo Sebego’s mediation efforts early last month saw the formation of an interim committee. On Saturday, the committee was given the mandate to engage both Shah and Somerset Gobuiwang on the way forward.
The former allies are engaged in a bruising fight for the ownership of the club with Shah on record as saying he was no longer comfortable working with Gobuiwang.
Club members expressed fear that if Shah is pushed out, the team might plunge back into old days. Interim committee co-chairperson, Walter Kgabung informed the meeting that talks are ongoing among the committee, Shah and Gobuiwang.
“We have already met Gobuiwang, but we are yet to meet Shah. We will update you on the progress of negotiations. That’s why we are seeking a mandate to engage investors,” he said. The committee is expected to meet Shah on Monday and give feedback to the general membership. One member said Rollers had been elevated to a new status since the arrival of Shah and they cannot afford to regress. “You have brought us this far. We believe both Shah and Gobuiwang can sit down and resolve their differences,” the fan said.
“We are now used to sugar and rice we cannot accept anything less,” another fan said. A former player, Persia Diago said the internal fights were dragging the club back to its lean days, which threatens to reverse gains made. BFA executive committee member, Susan Montsho urged Rollers to guard against ‘falling from the highway’.
“You need investors. Do not fall from the highway. As BFA we will be there for you,” she said.
Some members said Rollers need both Gobuiwang and Shah as they had made tremendous contribution to the growth of the club. The interim committee was given a mandate to continue seeking solutions with its term expiring at the next annual general meeting, proposed for January 30, 2016.
Interim committee president, Dickson Gabanakgosi said the members’ concerns have been noted and that a lot of ground had been covered.
“This committee is honest. What is left is for me to instil discipline in the committee, which in turn will instil discipline in you,” he said. The meeting was held in an amicable atmosphere although it had threatened to degenerate as predicted. However, the intervention of the BFA president saw deliberations proceed largely without flashpoints.