18 Jun 2014

Extension Gunners supporters can now breath a sigh of relief after the Dada and Ismail families injected P2 million in the team.

The two families' action followed collapse of the team's deal with the Ghodratti family. The Dada and Ismali families will assist Extension Gunners with P2 million per-annum for two years, with ‘no strings attached'.

According to the deal, all profits made will go to the society, which owns 100 per cent of the commercial wing, being Extension Gunners PTY LTD.

Briefing the media on June 17, the team’s chairperson, Kitso Dlamini said his team had been operating on a stringent budget over the years, hence they had found it fit to look for partners who would assist the team financially.

He said since the team’s annual general assembly resolved that the club should look for models to privatise seven months ago, it was not an easy road.

Dlamini explained that they had to be vigilant in their endeavour for privatisation given that Gunners had rich history and there were a lot of people with passion and good will for the team. 

“We have actually learnt a lot from this exercise, because a lot of things were not adding up, what I can tell you is that it required a lot of energy and time,” he said.

He explained that for someone to partner with a team that was in existence for the past 52 years, he/she must have huge passion and “maybe a huge pocket” because supporters were passionate about their club and they had stood with the team despite turbulence.

The chairperson said his team was going to compete for honors and they would make sure that they had quality players and human resources. He said they would continue with their technical sponsor, All Kasi, although their contract was coming to an end in November. 

Cassim Dada, who will be overlooking the whole project, said he was not new to the team since he served as an additional member at the age of 13 years.

He said his team had always been under privileged, due to financial constraints, and therefore thanked the Dada and Ismail families for founding it fit to rescue Mapantsula.

“Use the money wisely, prove to us, all what we want is accountability and be rest assured that more is coming your way, and to Extension Gunners supporters you have done your part over the years by contributing for the team,” he said.

Extension Gunners, chief executive officer, Orayyah Dada said with collective effort, the team could do better. She urged the team’s supporters to stand by the team whether it wins or loses, given that they were heading for great things.

Former Gunners manager, Rashid Chopdat thanked the sponsors for coming on board, adding that the team will be able to recruit and buy more players. 

He urged Gunners supporters to always hold the spirit of ‘Botho’ given that they would have to carry and hoist the team’s name in a positive way. ENDS