Relegated Motlakase pushes ahead with stadium project

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Wednesday May 25, 2011 00:00

The project started after their promotion to the Premier League two seasons ago but was shelved due to financial constraints as the club fought for survival in the top division.

One of the club directors, Samuel Kealotswe told to Mmegi Sport yesterday that they have made plans to finish the construction and become the first club in the country to own a stadium. 'We have taken a decision to divide ourselves into two groups.

The other group would be faced with pushing the project while the other focuses on the club's return to the Premier League,' he explained. He said it would now be viable to finish the project while the club is campaigning in the First Division since the cost of playing in the competition is not as high as in the Premier League.

'We are aiming between December and April next year for the stadium to be ready for use. We have spoken to some Chinese companies to provide us with samples of artificial turf to see which one suits our environment,' he stated.

The Coca-Cola Cup finalists initially planned to lay natural turf but Kealotswe said they have since changed their mind because of cost implications. 'The natural turf would need about 50,000 litres of water per week and that would cost us a lot of money,' he explained.

He said they are looking at a budget of around P4 million to finish the project and fund the club's efforts to return to top-flight football. 'We have learnt a lot in the Premier League and this time around, we do not want to prepare ourselves while we are already in the Premier League. Our aim is to ensure that by the time we are promoted, we are already prepared as far as having the right players is concerned,' he said.

Kealotswe asserted that they are willing to keep their coach, Oris Radipotsane, in their quest to make a quick return to the Premier League. Radipotsane replaced Stanley Mwaanga in the middle of the just-ended season after a series of losses.

'Our intention is to keep him so that he starts pre-season training with the side and hopefully we will be able to return to the Premier League,' he said.

He added that travelling every week was a serious blow to their quest to survive in the elite league and that is why they have decided to complete the stadium so that they can host their home games.

Motlakase was among the three sides that failed to survive the dreaded axe in the just-ended season. Together with Black Peril and TASC, they now face a moment of introspection as the tough assignment in the lower division awaits them.

Both Motlakase and TASC will be facing each other in the First Division North while Black Peril will be campaigning in the First Division South.

The line-up in the north is not yet settled as Great North Tigers (GNT) and Mahalapye Hotspurs still have to play each other for a spot in the promotion play-offs.

The winner will face Mochudi Buffaloes to decide who joins FC Satmos (champions of the north) and Mogoditshane Fighters (champions of the south) in the Premier League.