29 Oct 2015

Constituency tournaments continue to unearth talent as four players from Mookane have been registered by teams in competetive leagues after being scouted during the tournament. The acting chairperson of Mookane United, Gopolang Godirwang said four players from their team were playing for UB Hawks, Flamingo Santos, Notwane and Extension Gunners.

Mookane FC is one of the five teams found in the village. Since the team’s formation in 2009, the best result they have achieved in constituency games was reaching the regional stage in 2014.

To sustain the team, Godirwang, who is also the team captain, said they buy balls, cones and kit replicas to sell to fans through the prize money they win. 

In addition, he said they use their prize money for transport and meals during games and share some among the players if there was excess money. Godirwang praised the constituency tournaments for keeping players and supporters engaged at football grounds.

He, however, decried the shortage of sports grounds and referees who were well versed in football regulations.

For her part, Happy Stars netball team manager, Thato Modisaotsile said their team was new and has only competed in three constituency tournaments.

She also hailed constituency tournaments for taking the youth out of the streets and keeping them away from alcohol abuse and substance abuse.

Modisaotsile said her dream was to see her team grow and compete against big teams in mainstream sports.

The programme officer in the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture in Mahalapye, Onkabetse Lemo said constituency tournaments benefit youth by keeping them meaningfully engaged. He also noted that they earn some prize money while some players progress to big clubs which pay players wages.

He also said constituency games improve the psychological wellbeing of players by eliminating stress, anxiety and depression in players. 

He cited the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s findings which notes that absence of disease does not translate to good health to emphasise his point. Ends