25 Feb 2013

A Botswana Rugby Union (BRU) dream to build its stadium in Gaborone is still alive.

However, the president of the union, Bob Lekan told delegates at the union’s annual general assembly in Gaborone on Saturday that commencement of the stadium construction had stalled for months because BRU was struggling to find financiers for the project.

The ambitious initiative was first announced by Lekan at the general assembly in February last year after he was given a fresh two-year mandate to lead the union.

The envisaged stadium was supposed to be constructed over two phases with phase one to be completed in 18 months. Lekan said last year that the project would cost around P16 million and it would include a pitch, stands, change rooms, offices and parking space.

He said his executive committee would source sponsors for the project from the private sector.

When delegates asked about progress on the project, the president admitted that the BRU executive had struggled to clinch an agreement with any company, but said the project was still on course.

“The union has no money to start the project, but we have submitted proposals to companies. There are companies that are keen to partner with us, but they have not committed and no agreement has been signed. It is still a dream which is doable provided companies can come on board,” he explained.

Lekan said the union was already in the process of doing valuation of the plot where the project would be built.

He said after getting a title deed for the plot, the union leadership might decide to enter into lease agreement with one property developer to take over the whole project.

The stadium was expected to ease shortage of rugby venues in Gaborone as the BRU relied heavily on the Wharic Park ground which was owned by the Gaborone Rugby Club.

The general assembly was also told that the BRU would soon unveil a company that would take charge of the BRU marketing and communications strategy.

The company, which Lekan described as reputable, would be tasked with finding sponsors for the union. The rugby union also struggled without a sponsor for over four years.

This was after sponsorship agreements with Orange, Furnmart, LG and Kgalagadi Breweries Limited came to an end. Lack of sponsorship had consequently made BRU to play its league and cup activities without a sponsor.

Meanwhile, the meeting declined to accept the financial report presented by the treasurer, Vincent Mashaya on the basis that the report was not signed by the treasurer, president and the auditor.

Mashaya said the auditor wanted the financial report to be endorsed by the meeting before it could be signed. While they were generally not against the content of the report, delegates insisted that it must be signed before it could be endorsed by the meeting.

A special meeting would have to be called where a fresh financial report would be presented. ENDS