Orapa United is born

SHINGIRAI MADONDO
Correspondent | Monday September 3, 2012 00:00

 

At a glittering event held at the diamond-mining township's Itekeng stadium, members of the Orapa community had an opportunity to have a glimpse of the team that will do business for the team in the coming season.

Entrance was free for the event that started as early as  9:00 am. The unveiling started with a game between Under-17 boys from Letlhakane and Orapa before ladies soccer players trotted onto the field of play around 12:00 pm. The main attraction, the game between TAFIC Sporting Club of Francistown and Orapa United kicked off at 4:00 pm before a capacity crowd. Both teams used the friendly game as part of their respective preparations for the coming season although it was a twofold for United which used the event to launch their newly formed united front in the Boteti region. United proved to be a well polished side and edged TAFIC with a solitary strike by an exciting Joseph Nyaladzi.

Nyaladzi, a promising brilliant goal poacher took advantage of a somewhat lost TAFIC defence and scored the only goal of the game just ten minutes after the break.

Earlier on, the General Manager of the Orapa Letlhakane Mine (OLM), Aldrin Gale said one of the key components in their Orapa Today and Tomorrow Vision is to improve sports, higher standards, better facilities and more competition to bring success.

'Orapa United was hence formed to bring the community together to allow us to focus our resources to allow unity behind one club. One special club, one championship cub,' he said. 'So we have combined the existing clubs in to one club, one Arsenal or Manchester City or even Manchester United with player drawn from all across our region, a team which represents Boteti and which will challenge the best in the country,' said the General Manager. He said the Debswana Mine is committed to the development of Boteti and sport in Botswana. Gale said the mining giant will leverage the production of diamonds to become the commercial hub of Boteti, the gateway to Makgadikgadi thereby opening its doors to drive development within the region. United have added five more new players to the squad that did business for them last season after offloading some tired legs to pave way for new incoming talent.

Amongst players who have made their way into the diamond territory is former Tati Sporting Club (TASC) duo of Victor Puoeng and Opelo Godfrey. United also lured two players from the relegated Tonota FC in Pelontle Dimbo and Samuel Mashadza.