No Mathata Brings Hope To Botshabelo

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Monday September 6, 2010 00:00

But after relegating from the top flight, Monang has disappeared from the soccer radar into oblivion. However, Botshabelo North residents have something to smile about again after No Mathata was promoted to the First Division North this season. Training in a dusty ground just behind the BCL mine, No Mathata has only one thing in mind - to emulate Mosquito by playing in the be MOBILE Premier League.

No Mathata got an injection of P1,000 from the area councillor who is also deputy mayor, Bathaedi Mponwane over the weekend before travelling to Orapa for their first match. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mponwane said lack of finance is killing clubs in the area.

He stated that it would be better if No Mathata can find a sponsor from businesspeople in the town.  A club official, Setlalekgosi Gate said the donation from the councillor will go a long way in assisting the team. He said No Mathata has managed to get the youth off the streets because it keeps them busy with football.

He stated that the players are no longer involved in criminal activities and they do not do drugs like before.

'We do not have anything to assist the team. We have been sacrificing our families' finances. I just wish companies and individuals could come onboard and help. This team is not only for Botshabelo but the entire town,' Gate said. No Mathata coach, Linda Simon said they are ready to do battle in the First Division.  He said that though they are debutants, they will do their best. He explained that the team has been using youngsters but he has introduced senior players to guide the young ones.  He said the players have potential and they will do everything to get promoted to the Premier League. Simon explained that sometimes it is hard for some players to attend training because of work and school commitments.

'We have financial challenges and we do not have equipment. Since we use school going players, we are forced to buy them soccer boots and it is not easy because the team does not have money. 

The ground that we use for training is in a better condition because BCL has graded it for us,' said Simon. He added that No Mathata has many supporters especially from Botshabelo and he hopes that when they play home games, they will come in large numbers.