Dark days for Nico, Satmos
Tapela Morapedi | Friday March 31, 2017 15:30
At the other end of town the latter, Satmos dropped to football’s third tier.
Nico wrote to Pedigree Sport registering their displeasure over contractual breaches.
Pedigree managing director, Allen Molomo has confirmed receipt of the letter.
Molomo told Mmegi Sport that Nico has raised concerns regarding Pedigree’s contractual obligations, which the team say have not been fulfilled. He noted that among other things, Pedigree Sport as technical partner was supposed to provide the club with kit, both home and away, kit for the technical team and the replica jerseys.
He said they have delivered except for the away kit.
Nico United want the technical sponsor to honour all terms of the contract, threatening to terminate the deal. Nico public relations officer, Mogomotsi ‘Ace’ Orapeleng neither confirmed nor denied that they have written to their technical partner with regard to the deal, save to only say they are still contracted to Pedigree Sport.
Molomo, however, pointed out that Nico have delayed to raise any money from replica jerseys where both parties getting their portion, with the sponsor receiving the lion’s share. He said the club refused to allow Pedigree to sell the replicas in Gaborone, a move that he says has frustrated the sales as the jerseys are only sold at Area 1 here. He said this has resulted in the company failing to recover production costs.
Molomo later informed Mmegi Sport that he contacted the club’s vice chairman, Gaopelo Otsogile and Orapeleng and the two parties will resolve the issue amicably.
Nico saw another partnership deal with Lekadiba Club in Selebi Phikwe collapse. Nico and Lekadiba had entered into a partnership of converting Lekadiba into a clubhouse for Nico United. The deal has since fallen off following the departure of former Lekadiba Club chairman, Mothaleemang Molapisi who brokered the deal. Nico chairman, Taolo Mothusi recently told supporters the current Lekadiba leadership refused to extend the deal, arguing there were no benefits for the social club.
Meanwhile, the cash-strapped Nico United have organised a 20km sponsored walk on April 8 at Area 1 in Selebi Phikwe to raise funds.
With Nico battling their own problems, FC Satmos bade farewell to First Division football last weekend without even kicking a ball. Satmos failed to travel to Mahalapye to play BR Highlanders and results elsewhere spelt doom for the former Premiership side.
“Our vehicle had a breakdown just before Topisi and because of lack of funds, we could not organise alternative means,” team manager, Tshwaragano Moswela said.
He said the team tried its best under the circumstances, failing to recover from a horrific start to the campaign.