06 Aug 2017

Over the past year, Township Rollers have continued to grow as a football brand, and proceeding with plans to alter the structure of the society, with a view of creating a company.

Speaking at the club’s annual general meeting (AGM) in Gaborone on August 5, Rollers chairperson, Walter Kgabung said the club had grown in leaps and bounds, and in order to maintain progress, they needed to have a commercial structure.

“We have been working on creating a commercial model for the club as mandated by our last AGM at Gaborone West Community Hall in January 2016.  We have continuously updated members during special general meetings, and we are working on creating a company,” Kgabung said.

He revealed that under the arrangement being currently pursued by the club, Rollers would end up operating as a company, with club president and key investor, Jagdish Shah having an 80 per cent shareholding and the Rollers society, which is owned by card-carrying supporters, having 20 per cent.

Kgabung said demands of Confederation of African Football (CAF) club licensing were such that football teams needed to be commercial outfits that were run professionally, and as such Rollers needed to adhere by structurally transforming into a commercial entity.

But of concern to the Rollers management was the fact that the club’s running costs had proved to be higher than the revenue generated by the club through sponsorship, merchandise, individual membership, branches subscriptions and gate takings.

About P5.2 million was generated by the club, while the expenditure was P9.5 million, which meant the club made a P4.3 million loss, something which Kgabung said needed to be addressed.

“If we manage our objectives of winning the Mascom Top 8 and reaching the group stages of the CAF Champions League, as well as step up merchandise sales and membership drive, then we could recoup costs,” Kgabung said.

He thanked the club’s supporters for the support they rendered the club during the passing away of star player, Gofaone Tiro earlier this year.

“Rollers supporters were proactive in supporting us as well as Tiro’s family during our time of bereavement and we are grateful.  We have taken a decision to give our players the best medical care in response to the tragedy.  We cannot control the will of God, but we will do our best to protect the health of our players,” Kgabung said.

It was revealed that Rollers have signed South African playmaker, Tshepo ‘Skhwama’ Matete, Ugandan defensive midfielder Ivan Ntege, striker Jerome ‘JJ’ Ramatlhakwana as well as Percy More and Boyo Lechena.

Rollers public relations officer (PRO), Phempheretlhe Pheto said Rollers had hoped to give a new deal to veteran midfielder Lawrence Majawa, but could not agree terms. ENDS