Mqondisi Dube
20 November 2009
Palapye — Plot number 4297 in Khurumela ward in Palapye is no ordinary physical address, though it was desolate a few months ago.
The piece of land has sprung to life with the construction of a historic project; a stadium owned by be MOBILE Premier League debutants, Motlakase Power Dynamos. The project has set a precedent in local soccer. Motlakase shook the soccer fraternity when it raised P1.5 million for the stadium construction during a recent ground -breaking ceremony. It will be the first project to be undertaken by a soccer club in its maiden season in the Premier League.
Motlakase chairperson and director, Mangisi Segadimo said the club expected to learn from other established sides, but the opposite has turned out to be true. "We are humbled by the positive comments we receive from other clubs. We expected to learn from them but surprisingly, we have been inundated with praise from other clubs who say we have done well and they are learning from us," Segadimo told Mmegi Sport in midweek.
The stadium construction was mooted when it dawned on the Palapye side that promotion to the Premier League was a reality. Some sceptics doubted if such a mammoth task could be achieved in a short space of time. But powered by a powerful business community and a zealous community, the club is within a whisker of achieving its dream.
Today, Plot 4297 stands on the brink of history. Situated on a raised surface of an undulating spread, the stadium will be the first owned by a local soccer club. It will be the embodiment of determination and defiance in the face of adversity. Few gave the project a chance but the pre-cast wall, the presence of workers and cleared land bear testimony of a dream about to be realised.
"There is a lot of commitment from all those involved from the directors to the supporters. We hold the belief that Palapye needs this kind of project, whether the team stays in the Premier League or not," Segadimo said at the construction site. Currently, Motlakase has to travel to Francistown and Selebi-Phikwe, at least 120 kilometres away, to play its home games. This has denied home supporters the opportunity to watch a team they cheered on its way to a maiden appearance in the Premier League. "It is expensive for them to travel with the team every weekend. They want to see the project concluded expeditiously," Segadimo said.
He stated that the festive mood that engulfed the village after the club's promotion has taken a dive since the fans cannot watch their team in action. He said the lack of a suitable facility for Premier League games in Palapye has been a blessing in disguise as it has cajoled them into action to build a stadium.
"We should be self-reliant and not depend on the government. I think the government has done enough to build stadia around the country and we can't complain that we were left out. Remember, Palapye has the second university while other areas don't," Segadimo said.
He added that although Motlakase is a community team, he is confident that the corporate world will assist the side financially. The Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) is being courted by the club to be the official sponsor.
BPC has responded with buying kits for the club worth P35,000 although it has not committed to further sponsorship. Segadimo said that although there has been no financial assistance from the government, the Department of Sport and Recreation director, Falcon Sedimo, performed the ground breaking ceremony for the new stadium. The Motlakase official said they wanted to guard against 'making noise' before something took off the ground. He is confident that they will now get recognition as there is evidence of progress.
The club hopes to reap returns once the project is completed even if it is demoted from the Premier League. Segadimo said the stadium can be used for other activities other than football.
Motlakase enjoys a healthy relationship with the community and its directors constantly help schools through equipment donation.
Some companies are already assisting the club including Builders World, which will construct the changing rooms. Tla Pitseng, a Palapye fast food outlet has been feeding the players whenever they are in camp.
"I urge other companies to come forward as a way of paying back to the community," pleaded Segadimo. The club will start selling replica jerseys and other merchandise to raise funds.
Motlakase has made a lukewarm start to the season, with their highlight being the 4-1 thumping of defending league champions, Gaborone United.
The team lies 14th, the last relegation spot. But Segadimo is confident they will soon turn the tide and survive relegation. He said the team has pulled all the stops to ensure that it stays in the Premier League. They plan to recruit new players in January.
Motlakase recently roped in former Township Rollers and Nico United coach, Madinda Ndlovu as their new mentor. Ndlovu would be hoping to instil a sense of self-belief in a side short of experience but full of determination. The club hopes that their return to Palapye would turn round their fortunes. When it was campaigning in the First Division, Motlakase turned their home ground into a fortress.
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