Why coaches need an association

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday March 5, 2010 00:00

Meanwhile, Paul Moyo has been dismissed by Notwane although there are reports that the team owes the veteran coach salary arrears. Such cases have become synonymous with local football as coaches are sacked every season at the drop of a hat.

Most clubs seem to have perfected the art of hiring and firing coaches willy-nilly. Club officials with dubious reputations are quick to shift the blame to the coach if the team is not performing.

Last week, Nico United parted ways with Muchina and club chairperson, Eitlhomilwe Raditshego said they did not have a contract with him. He said theirs was a verbal agreement and there was nothing amiss with his dismissal although the coach was never afforded a hearing after his suspension.

Gundani and Muchina reacted by taking the club to the Department of Labour and Raditshego said he was taken aback by the development. This is not an isolated incident and it is indicative of the level of exploitation local coaches are subjected to.

In most instances, coaches are owed huge sums of money and when the club cannot meet its financial obligation to them, it resorts to terminating the contract. The treatment of coaches has raised a pertinent question. Should coaches form an association to fight for their rights? Extension Gunners' coach, Daniel 'Chicco' Nare said the formation of a coaches' association is long overdue. He said clubs are taking coaches for granted. 'They fire coaches without paying exit packages and generally disrespect them,' Nare stated.

He said that at a recent coaches' workshop in Gaborone, it was agreed that the formation of the association should be expedited. Nare, who has managed to stay at the popular Lobatse side for three seasons, said clubs normally draft contracts, which coaches sign out of desperation. 'Coaches should consult their counterparts before committing themselves. We get excited before we sign,' Nare said.

He said a committee, which includes Boteti Young Fighters' coach, Kenneth Mogae has been tasked with drawing a plan to guide the formation of the association.

Gaborone United coach, Manfred Chabinga concurred that there is need to form a coaches' association. 'In Zambia and Swaziland, there is such an association. Sometimes coaches are dismissed unfairly. I concur there is need to form an association,' he said.

BDF XI coach, Stan Mwaanga said an association will help improve relations between coaches, particularly with the national team coach.

'It will be important in the case of coordinating with the national team coach. I don't know why it has not been formed. We should speak with one voice,' he declared.

He said the idea of an association was mooted during a coaches' workshop in Gaborone. He said the body should be formed as soon as possible.

Mogae was in Johannesburg, South Africa and said the reception was poor when Mmegi Sport sought his comment.