Onalenna Modikwa
19 November 2008
Bobonong — Yizo Yizo Club from Molalatau walked away with P8,000 on Saturday for winning the Bobirwa constituency football league as runners-up, Semabaje of Bobonong East got P6,000.
During the awards ceremony, players' representative, Masilo Keongadile said the league attracted many youth from the streets and unearthed talent that would have remained untapped. He said the league is an indication that there is progress in the development of youth soccer.
Bobirwa MP, Shaw Kgathi said at the awards ceremony that sports teach discipline, dignity, development and democracy in line with President Ian Khama's principles. The constituency league is a brain-child of Khama. Kgathi said by sponsoring the constituency leagues, the president demonstrated how he wants to implement his 4Ds. "He is very passionate about sports hence he came up with incentives like allowances for league players and the upgrading of stadiums ahead of 2010 World Cup."
The MP said if it was not for budgetary constraints caused by the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak and the Zimbabwean problem, Bobonong would have had a stadium by now. However, construction of the facility has been shifted to NDP 10. Kgathi said that the challenges that they came across during the league should not be considered as a deterrent but a lesson. He suggested that organisers of the constituency league should consider implementing the blue book system and come up with their own laws. "The beginning is always rough but use that as a stepping stone. Strengthen your committees for effective running of the league." Kgathi said that to demonstrate youth empowerment, Khama has resolved that each constituency should have a youth officer to facilitate youth people's access to programmes and other services tailor-made for them.
The MP stated that he is a living testimony of what sports can make out of a person. Kgathi is a former director of sport in government. He said that sport encourages national pride and patriotism. "Let us start building the ego and pride and provide a boost to our region of Bobirwa through sports." The MP encouraged winning clubs to spend the prize money responsibly.
Senior assistant council secretary in Bobirwa Sub-District, Tshango Gulubane said the constituency league has helped Babirwa to be more organised and helped once moribund clubs to revive. "It has given us a platform to showcase talent and enabled us to interact more on a common purpose and some of the players will be absorbed by the big clubs as a result." Gulubane warned against spending the prize money irresponsibly because it would discourage other players.
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On our Consitituency or Mmashoro ward rather in Serowe North West, these rules and regulations of the tonarment are setting us because if you are at tertiary level of education or having a piece job which last eg for a month you are not taking part in the tonarment but we are youth, i dnt if my question would be answered. does this rules apply only in our constituency.