Motlakase needs P1m to complete stadium

ONALENNA MODIKWA
Staff Writer | Friday August 27, 2010 00:00

Through the club's directors' efforts, the construction of the stadium is at an advanced stage with the levelling of the pitch and the fencing completed. Motlakase chairperson, Mangisi Segadimo said that initially, their hope was that the P7 million stadium would be ready at the beginning of the new season which kicked-off last weekend.

However this was not possible as up to P1 million is needed to do the lawn and purchase a machine for watering the lawn.

Segadimo said it is now an uphill task to complete the project. He said they had money to complete the project in April but the funds were gobbled up in transport expenses as the team played its home games away. The team's poor performance in the last season affected their revenue in-flow as they could not attract more spectators to their games. The team needs about P400,000 to complete the changing rooms at the stadium. It spends about P52,000 monthly on salaries for staff and players. 'We had enough money when we started the project but the travelling expenses coupled with the team's unimpressive performance weighed heavily on our budget. We had hoped that once complete, the stadium would attract more fans to our home games and generate money for the club,' Segadimo said.

This season is likely to pose more serious financial challenges to the club given that the stadium is not complete and the travel expenses for home games remain. The club is appealing for financial assistance from companies and individuals to complete the stadium.

Meanwhile, Motlakase coach, Stanley Mwaanga has embarked on a programme dubbed 'Failure to plan is planning to fail' in a bid to improve performance. He said though the club managed to retain its premiership status, performance was not convincing and that is why it finished 12th. Chouka Chouka won eight games lost 17 and drew five. Mwaanga said they aim to finish in the top eight bracket.

The team has signed Thathayothe Gaokgorwe from Police XI, Saukani Zulu from Happy Hearts, Cosmos Sebona from Boteti Young Fighters and Kagiso Ramokgathadi from Naughty Boys. 'We were let down by the new policy that a club cannot sign more than three foreigners, therefore we could not sign Maxwell Mburayi and Precious Mpondela from BDF XI,' the coach said.

During preparations for the new season, Motlakase Played 10 friendly matches, winning seven and losing three. The coach indicated that their preparations are much better and they managed to score 32 goals and conceded 15. Though they lost their opening Premier League game against Nico United last weekend, Motlakase hopes for a change of fortunes against TAFIC on Sunday. 'We have young players with potential that we can utilise to the team's benefit. The major challenge we are facing is that we are mostly playing away games and it has negative effects on the players,' Mwaanga decried.