15 Aug 2017

Sankoyo Bush Bucks has received financial assistance worth over P1.2 million from Sankoyo Tshwaragano Development Trust for the coming season.

Out of the amount, P635 000 has been used to purchase a 25-seater bus, P85 000 for insurance, P25 000 for branding the bus while P590 000 will be used for the ruuning of the club.

Speaking during the unveiling of the bus, the trust chairperson, Nkgololang Samakata said they would need an additional P25 000 to connect Internet in the bus so that players could keep themselves busy when travelling.

He said the assistance followed a request made during the annual general meeting to assist the ailing Bush Bucks in its general operation of the club for the 2017/18 season.

The trust promised to take care of the club’s transportation costs during away and home games.

It also promised to engage its accountant to work with the club management for prudent financial management and record keeping which was in line with the club’s licensing requirements.

Samakata said the trust would pay the bus driver, fuel and service for the bus.

He emphasised that the bus would be under the custody of the trust, and that the club would submit its trip requests to them.

He also emphasised that the financial assistance was not a sponsorship, and that any potential sponsor was welcome to sponsor the club.

The assistance, he said, was just a temporary measure to help the club to start the new season in a better foundation.

The chairperson, however, emphasised that  they were committed to assist the club where possible because they wanted to ensure that the players were happy so that they could bring good results.

Kgosi Gokgathang Molalosi of Sankoyo said the assistance was an indication that the community cared about the team, and was willing to see it going far in terms of performance in the field.

He said despite the fact that the trust was financially challenged, the Sankoyo community found it fit to approve funds to support the team as they were concerned about its performance.

“We agreed to shelve some of our community projects and rally behind the club, as we want it to be in the top eight at the end of the season,” he added.

However, Kgosi Moalosi urged the management of the team to be accountable and to do tasks in a transparent manner to protect the image of the club.

For his part, the club chairperson, Itumeleng Kelebetseng thanked the trust and the community of Sankoyo for their assistance, noting that transport was a major challenge to the club in previous seasons.

“I am now happy that the transport issue has been addressed, and I can assure you that we will work hard to account for every financial support you inject into the club,” he added.

He also assured the trust management that his newly elected executive committee would work hard to look for sponsorship while generating funds through fundraising activities to boost their resource base.

Kelebetseng noted that the club needs P90 000 per month to pay players’ salaries, adding that they have not yet finalised the signing of some players and that the wage bill could still go up. BOPA