06 May 2014

Sports should be taken seriously as it no longer fulfils enjoyment only, but is also a source of employment.

Shoshong MP, Phillip Makgalemele said this during a recent football clinic for Kgamane Memorial School, Shoshong and Mokibe primary schools.

Makgalemele said the football clinic was an effort to raise football stars of both sexes since the sport had gained so much popularity in Botswana.

“Therefore the younger generation should be taken aboard as a way of keeping active, healthy and encouraged to make a living in the future,” he said.

Makgalemele voiced his concern that over the last five years, there had not been any football stars emerging form Shoshong constituency and therefore the time was now that they should groom the stars for the future.


He said the young footballers should be focused, saying their self-confidence and esteem would be improved and they would be socially developed through playing football.
 His desire, he said, was that each of the selected footballer students should have a fully complete soccer attire.

For that reason, Mr Makgalemele urged whoever that has a love and passion for football to adopt a player and be in a position to purchase any of the necessities.

He also said the school football clinic programme would be extended to other schools in the constituency.

Mr Makgalemele also advocated for a Botswana football museum to be built in Shoshong which would exhibit memorabilia of football career for Batswana heroes.

The President of the Footballers Union Mr Mmoni Segopolo said the union focuses on general interests of football players.

Mr Segopolo also said the union is primarily established to increase solidarity and equality.
He said for that reason they would be willing to travel all over Botswana as a way of facilitating and coaching the young footballers in the country. 
Among instructors mentoring team were former and current players, coaches who provided hands on teaching of skills fundamentals as well as position specific training, they promoted physical and mental wellbeing of young players.
The union had the likes of Thabo Motang former Zebras goalkeeper, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Onalenna Tshekiso, Ernest Amos who also incorporated safe tackling techniques into the students.


The clinic was followed by football matches that saw Kgamane Primary school walking away with P250, position two was Shoshong Primary taking P150 and Mokibe Primary came third with P100.

Kgamane Primary School players got awards for best midfield, leading goal scorer and goal keeper for boys’ players and Shoshong Primary player got an award for best defender. Each student walked away with a P50 cash prize. ENDS