Knives out for TAFIC's Sebina
Chakalisa Dube | Friday November 15, 2019 10:46
TAFIC players recently wrote a petition to the chairperson demanding that he step down citing incompetency. In the petition, the players said that under the stewardship of Sebina, the club has totally disregarded their welfare.
Early this week, there were reports that Sebina had resigned following talks with some elders in the team.
“I am still engaging those close to me. These are the people who have been assisting me to run the club. I will decide my future after consulting with them. I will take my decision as a businessman and parent. My decision will certainly be in the interest of the club,” he said.
“I respect the players’ decision to write me a letter. I will also respond to their letter soon. I am very much concerned about the welfare of the players,” Sebina added.
It is alleged that some key stakeholders within the club, particularly the elders, are totally against the idea of Sebina leaving the club.
Sebina is said to have met the elders last weekend where they reportedly assured him of their support. The elders and a greater number of the team’s supporters reportedly believe that Sebina has done well since taking over two years ago.
“This season it has been difficult. The club has made as little as P33 (against Gilport Lions) from gating takings. Against Gunners the club earned P6,100 while against GU the team made P2,000,” said an insider.
“However, the club needs P15,000 to honour away fixtures and Sebina has managed to raise the money despite the fact that the team has not been generating income from gate takings.”
The source also said Sebina has managed to ensure that the club successfully delivers audited financial statements, something that has not been done in many years.
“One of the reasons the club has been unable to attract sponsors is because it has not been auditing its books. We are very optimistic that the financial statements will help us attract sponsors.”
Another club member said although the players have not been able to get their full dues, at least they received something.
“Although the club has not been able to fully fund the players’ monthly wages, which is in the region of P100,000, under Sebina the players have been getting something reasonable every month.
The financial problem is not a TAFIC problem: it is a league problem. What is important now is that the club is in the right direction.”
Sebina would not be drawn into discussing what transpired during the meeting with the club elders. There is widespread speculation that the players do not entirely own the letter routed to Sebina.
Some have alleged that the letter is backed by those who want to topple Sebina. Financial troubles at TAFIC are well documented, even before Sebina’s arrival. But until recently it appeared Sebina had managed to find a cure to the problem.