Boteti auctioned over P30, 000 debt

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Wednesday February 24, 2010 00:00

 

The struggling Orapa side faces a bleak future after the deputy sheriff descended on them and put the club's white mini Toyota Hiace, eight soccer balls and two sets of football kits under the hammer.

The club owes a cash loan, Botheb's P30,000 which was borrowed to meet running costs.

'Yes it is true that our property has been auctioned. As you know, we do not have a sponsor and we are struggling. The money from the league sponsor only comes once at the end of the season,' Boteti public relations officer, Leano Marumo said. He told Mmegi Sport that the club has been struggling with finances and players' dues are not paid on time.

He said the club was forced to turn to the cash loan as it was struggling to keep up with the payment of players' salaries and running costs.

Marumo explained that they had promised to repay the loan shark on a monthly basis with the bulk of the funds from the membership.

But he said the team has lost many members and their monthly income of P38,000 has dwindled significantly to P15,000. He lamented that the sum is not sufficient to pay the club's expenses.

'We tried to talk to the cash loan to give us more time to pay. We proposed that we pay from our prize money at the end of the season but they felt we were taking too long,' Marumo said.

He added that the financial situation at the club that has survived in the top league for the past three seasons, looks gloomy. He predicted that unless a sponsor is found, the Orapa side is doomed. The boardroom situation is reflecting on the pitch as Boteti has struggled for results lately. Kenneth Mogae's side has slumped to 14th on the log, occupying the relegation play-off spot. The team has suffered heavy defeats this season, which include a 6-2 drubbing at the hands of defending champions, Gaborone United.