Ex-player warns against alcohol abuse

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Monday May 27, 2013 00:00

Mazwiduma was speaking at the awards' ceremony for Gaborone regional clubs in Gaborone on Saturday. He encouraged players to always focus and commit themselves to the game if they want to excel and reach peak level. He said during his playing days, money was a challenge in local football, but players remained focused and committed. He warned that alcohol abuse can be a major hindrance to the development of a football player.

He said reports that some players and officials resort to violent conduct either against referees or other players, is a major concern and urged Gaborone region clubs to conduct themselves in a professional manner.Chairperson of the regional football body, Thapelo Otimile said organising the awards ceremony always comes with challenges since they do not have sponsors.

He said the idea is to host the awards ceremony in different malls every year so as to create awareness among potential sponsors and football fans. The regional body was holding the awards ceremony for the third successive year.

Gaborone region currently has 52 clubs. Otimile said they are proud to see their clubs moving to higher divisions every year. It all started with Security Systems winning the promotional play-offs at Division One two years ago to qualify for the First Division. A year later, the club got promoted to the Premier League although they lost their status after failing to pay the annual subscription fee. Wonder Sporting won the play-offs and moved to First Division before getting an automatic ticket recently to return to the Premier League after topping the First Division South League.

Another side from the region, Rolling Boys last week won the play-offs to qualify for the First Division.The regional body awarded the runners up in each division with silver medals while the champions got gold medals and trophies. In Division Four, Marang finished second in the league with Gaborone Football Academy getting gold medals and a trophy.

Gempack won the Division Three League with Flying Masters coming second. Rolling Stars are the champions of Division Two, ahead of runners up, Duma Chiefs. Rolling Boys who will be playing in the First Division South League next season won the Division One League while Paymaster Spurs finished second