The dispute at Gaborone United (GU) over payment of title-winning bonus to players is indicative of the crisis at the heart of our football.

The fact that this problem has plagued the most successful club last season is a pointer to the sorry state of football management in the country. The administration of the game needs to be improved and player-management relations should be based on trust and professional respect. How should this happen? Club managers and players should strike an agreement at the beginning of the season as to who should be paid what. The agreement should clearly spell out how much should be paid to players from the prize money earned from winning a competition.

Such matters should be dealt with at the beginning of the season to avoid the current problems bedevilling GU. It seems there was no prior agreement on how much should be paid to GU players for winning the P1 million be MOBILE top prize. Despite this, we urge GU management not to give ultimatums to players. Players are entitled to demand better winning bonuses, especially when no amount had been agreed before hand. After all, they are the ones who actually kicked the ball and won matches that gave the club the P1 million prize. They are the ones who turned potential and dreams to reality. Because our set-up is not professional, more often than not, players sacrifice a lot to serve a club and win titles. Often they have to accept limited incentives until the team performs well and wins awards. That is why the GU management needs to treat the players with respect. The language of take-it-or-leave should not be used to players who have made the club the envy of many with their dedication.

However, the players need to keep their minds open. Local clubs have unlimited commitment compared to their sources of revenue. The players need to approach negotiation with management with this in mind.

As it stands, GU are yet to start the expensive campaign in Africa and management cannot be blamed for thinking about this right now. However, we think both parties should reach consensus without holding each other at ransom.

Most importantly, club managers in the country should learn from what is going on at GU.

Today's thought

"The conventional definition of management is getting work done through people,but real management is developing people through work."

- Agha Hasan Abedi