Detonated Rollers grenade fails to explode
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday October 6, 2015 10:23
The soothing morning assembly hymns were replaced with robust exchanges. The Township Rollers family had rolled into the shabby looking Marang School hall looking to end two years of infighting over the ownership of the popular side.
Expectations of a bloodied floor were high going into what was supposed to be an emotive meeting. Directors, Jagdish Shah and Somerset Gobuiwang had wagged what had become an ugly spat over the ownership of the country’s most decorated club.
Impromptu meetings were held outside the venue prior to formal proceedings.
Gobuiwang stood tall at the front door, acknowledging occasional greetings from Popa fans. Spencer Mmui, who is co-chairperson of the interim committee, huddled with close allies metres from the hall.
A blood and thunder encounter was in the offing. Proceedings expectedly kicked-off some 30 minutes after the scheduled 9am start.
The Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Tebogo Sebego gave a background of how the interim committee had been formed and how critical it was for the Rollers family to find a solution.
“Rollers is not just a football team, it is a religion. You want to hand over the club to the next generation in the best condition. What you should know is that you are all equal. There is no supporter who is better than the other. Your task is to protect the brand. Divergent views are normal,” said a mellowing Sebego.
He urged the club to do away with factions.
“The full stop to all the infighting is today’s meeting,” he said. Like hungry wolves, members were handed the opportunity to devour their foes while at the same time propping up their allies as soon as Sebego finished his address. The grenade had been detonated.
“The challenge is that we will agree on certain issues here, others will pull in a different direction. Right now, Spencer Mmui has a case before the Premier League but now you are bringing him as chairperson. We are being abused as branches,” said one member.
Another fan rose from the floor and blamed both Mmui and Gobuiwang for the crisis engulfing the club. “We have never had elections since 2008 yet the constitution says elections should be held every two years. I thank the arrival of (Walter) Kgabung who respects the constitution. As fans we do not want to lose Jagdish (Shah),” he said.
One member inquired why there was infighting at the club, questioning the motives and gains. “What are the benefits? Mmui has an outstanding case and you are bringing him back. Somerset I blame you. You brought Jagdish now you are fighting him. Why bring him in the first place? No one can afford to pay the squad that we have assembled. You are fighting the very people who took us out of our crisis,” the fan said.
Another member blamed secretary, Khumo Masonya and Kgabung for the crisis. He accused unnamed persons for thinking that they own Rollers. He claimed there was a plot to remove Gobuiwang.
When responding to the concerns, Sebego urged calm. “I am concerned, if you cannot hold your tongue at such an important meeting, then (it means) you are not prepared.
You should ask yourself if you are not personalising issues, which will spark unnecessary dialogue.
If you do not realise that Rollers is in a crisis, then we are not together. We are not here to belittle anyone but to build Rollers. For those asking what is there to benefit, go jewa lorato lwa bolo (its for the love of football).
A Rollers founding member, Allen Kempton weighed in as a potentially explosive situation was dragged back.
“I am very disappointed with maRollers. I feel like walking out. Address this committee with respect. It is embarrassing to see young people stand up to attack elders like Mmui and Gobuiwang who have contributed immensely to the growth of the club. We are accusing them yet we do not have evidence,” Kempton said.
After the intervention, the meeting proceeded largely undisturbed with the interim committee tasked with meeting both Gobuiwang and Shah. After all the explosive expectations of a watershed moment, there was smoke without fire.