15 Aug 2013

In a move inspired by the success story of Orapa United, two lower league clubs in Jwaneng are in the process of merging into one team.

Blue Diamonds, which play in the third division, are in negotiations to merge with second division side, Debswana Young Stars.  

The two clubs pointed that they opted to merge in order to establish a strong club that would revive the dwindling football fortunes in the diamond rich town.

In an interview, the interim committee spokesperson for the merger, Mpho Tsumake explained that negotiations were at an advanced stage and the new team would be called Young Stars.

He said they had initially proposed to merge all four clubs in Jwaneng, but the idea was not welcomed by the other clubs as they feared that the merger would erase their history.

“As young people who grew up in football, we are confident that our plan will yield good results for the benefit of football in the country, our region and Jwaneng as a town. In the past Jwaneng teams used to be a force in the top leagues,” Tsumake said.

Football in Jwaneng fell in the doldrums over the past few years despite the town being blessed with enough basic infrastructure and vast talent.

Tsumake said they aimed to gain promotion to the first division south within the next two seasons.  He expressed confidence that their lofty ambition would be possible with the pool of young talented players they had in their books.

They would trim the team before the closing of the transfer window after selecting the best squad for the new season. Tsumake also believed the merger would help them attract potential sponsors, especially from the mining companies in Jwaneng.

There had been concerns that too many teams in one area slowed down the development of the game as teams often scrambled for the same resources. The move by the two teams followed a move by five Orapa clubs to merge into one at the beginning of the 2012/2013 season.

The five teams were Orapa Wanderers, Boteti Young Fighters, Orapa Bucs, Orapa Swallows and White Diamond. Orapa United went on to win the first division north league and gained promotion to the be Mobile Premier League. Ends