BCL Divisional Manager (Marketing and Communications), Gerald Ndlovu said this when he officiated at the opening of the 2008 FIFA Seminar for Premier League leadership which started in Selebi-Phikwe last week. Ndlovu said the mine is disappointed by comments from various quarters, including Botswana Football Association (BFA) officials who imply that Nico is an institutional team. He said BCL sponsorship of the club, though significant, does not cover the total cost of running the club."BCL sponsorship of the club, though significant, falls far short of meeting the total cost of running the club," Ndlovu said. He added that contributions from gate-takings cannot sustain a premier league club. He said the mine has a long-standing relationship with Nico "but the club is by no means a part of the company".
He said BCL wanted to do more for Nico but the company had to contend with the uncertainties of world metal prices. Ndlovu said Selebi-Phikwe has a good football pedigree with three premiership teams since its inception. He said the form of these teams has been erratic as they have had to battle "a multitude of odds to remain in the league"."The greatest challenge has always been money. Money to get and retain quality players, money to get good coaches and money to generally run the club." Ndlovu said all away games for Phikwe teams "are really away with the closest away venue being Francistown, which is 150km north-west of the mining town. As a result, Phikwe teams are faced with a challenge of meeting travel and camping costs every week. Nico United is the only premier league team in Phikwe.The BCL manager applauded FIFA's initiative to bring professionalism into the local game.
