Shah sad, but not discouraged
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday April 1, 2016 15:54
Shah’s financial gesture to clubs such as Motlakase Power Dynamos, Green Lovers and Sankoyo Bush Bucks has been seen by some as compromising competition in the league.
“I do feel very sorry for Botswana football. These types of activities will hinder the growth of the sport in the country. How much of these issues do you see happening in South African football or even La Liga. We have to work together as clubs for the growth of football in the country,” he said yesterday.
He said he is disappointed by the current accusations and added there was no malice in the whole saga.
“I have not approached these clubs and proposed to assist them financially. All these three clubs requested for these loans because they said they were in a financial crisis. And we all know that means they could not pay players’ salaries or maybe that they would not have been able to honour some of their games.”
He wondered what the motive would have been for people who assume that his gesture to avail loans to these clubs could amount to match fixing.
“Of all these three teams, only Green Lovers are the ones that we are yet to play this season. We have already played against Motlakase and Sankoyo so I had no such idea of doing something close to match fixing when I lent these teams money,” he said.
Shah also shot down rumours that he had lent the BPL some money although they had requested for a loan because of their financial situation. The BPL blew up their funds before their season ended, which saw Premier League sides not receiving some grants.
“That is not true. I only assisted these clubs because even though they are competition in the league, we all want to see football move to another level. I have assisted Sankoyo before as well as Letlapeng,” he said.
He said he feels very sad because he did not know he would find such issues in football when he first got involved. He said although he will not be discouraged by the current events, he still feels very sad.
Asked whether he felt there was witch-hunting against him as far as his involvement in football is concerned, Shah said he does not know. Shah’s involvement in football also attracted some objections and controversies at his club, Rollers.
“I really do not know whether there is a witch-hunt against my involvement in football. I do not feel discouraged, but I know supporters, sponsors or other investors would feel discouraged by all these. No one wants to associate with these kinds of issues,” he said.