But there are latent - if unintended – dysfunctions that in most instances take the form of unforeseen party-poopers. Botswana football has embarked on a new path to invigorate local soccer through privatisation. The process is meant to wean clubs from overly depending on gate takings or producing the begging bowl at every turn. To all intents and purposes, privatisation is a good idea, which - if properly executed - could elevate our football and drive it to the seemingly elusive target of professionalism.
Yet Gaborone United (GU) have been the epitome of success in this regard, and several other football clubs have followed suit this season, although the verdict is not out on all of them. But what is happening at Notwane is a perfect example of how not to go about privatisation. It has been plain disaster almost right from the onset when Gift Mogapi duped the Notwane family into celebrating what turned out to have been a non-event. Mogapi, arriving from South Africa at the beginning of the season, promised to bring desirable changes and financial stability to a club that has teetered on the brink of relegation due to its well-documented financial challenges. He took full advantage of a trusting football family, in the process plunging the club into unprecedented lows. Notwane is battling to fulfil fixtures and its players are a wretched lot that reportedly goes for months without pay. This should be a lesson to the authorities not to entrust the running of clubs - some of which are institutions with rich histories - in the hands of every Jack and Jill. Thorough assessment - aptly called due diligence - is of the essence at all times. No matter how desperate, clubs should never allow any talk of money to ignite the signing of deals without a background check on the characters involved. Of course, the privatisation of clubs is a direct response to their endless financial woes. But if the process is rushed, it has the potential to result in the veritable doldrums of Notwane. The club is now stuck with the untenable and tedious problem of nullifying the contract with Mogapi. It is evident that most clubs have not benchmarked elsewhere on privatisation, but we share a lot of similarities with the South African Premiership and a visit there would not do anyone any harm. Because almost every club ponders privatisation, the critical question should be: Has there been enough education on the subject? Authorities need to conduct workshops on the matter, especially after the damnable Mogapi fiasco. On the surface, it would appear that the rush is to secure a sponsor, regardless of the source or its background.But no matter the financial circumstances, caution should never be compromised if clubs should avoid falling into the same trap as Notwane’s.
