19 Sep 2013

Since the inception of constituency tournaments a few years back, criticism has been both positive and negative.

Even though some young people have exacerbated the negative criticism by using the prize monies for alcohol and other anti-social activities, others are sticking to the basics hence take these sporting games seriously.

Driving through Legotlhwane ward in Gudigwa, a village in the Okavango District, one cannot help notice a group of young men under a big Mogotlho tree. Intertwined with a mokgalo tree at the upper branches, this gigantic plant provides a good shade for the 15 member team.

They chat in low, soft voices as they lie on the mattresses and blankets surrounding the fading fire, next to a small stream on the eastern side of the village. A size four traditional pot sits on the fire, covered with an oversized white bucket lid.

No, this is not a group of delinquents probably cooking a poached beast but a Legotlhwane football team on camp for a game later in the afternoon. It emerges they are cooking mealie meal to avoid midday hunger pangs. “This is our second day on camp and we are preparing to take on Popagano Real Masters later today. The camp ends on Sunday afternoon after the games are over,” says the team’s captain Gogo Kandondi.

As expected, prior to a constituency tournament, all team members converge on this area for camping without fail. The team management has ensured that all those who contravene camp rules are brought before a disciplinary hearing and appropriate punishment meted out.

“Camping is very important because we don’t have to go around the village looking for the players prior to the games. It also prevents them from indulging in alcohol as it is no-no for the sport.

And again it helps the management strategise the game plan when players are in one place,” explains Coach Benson Sakotsoka. Even though several young boys could be spotted around the camp site, the team has strict rules that ban players from roaming and mixing with their counterparts in the village. However, their younger brothers are only allowed to visit them during the day.

To reflect their seriousness towards the games, they have even selected an area next to the small stream as their camping place so that they could easily access water for bathing, while they get drinking and cooking water from the taps in the village. They also ensure that the government sponsorship funds are channeled towards developing the team such as buying kits, balls and food.

This area, they say, has been the team’s campsite since it was founded five years ago. They have even devised ways of scaring away wild animals such as elephants, hyenas and the kings of the wild-lions. “We are so used to this place that we even ensure that the fire is burning throughout the night to scare away wild animals,” says Sakotsoka.

One of the players, Mike Sayanga even says camping has been their way of life since the team was founded.

“We enjoy camping because it brings all the team members together and promotes the spirit of unity. It helps me personally because while I am here I don’t get tempted to indulge in alcohol like I would  if I was at home,” he says.

The lack of a home ground does not hinder the dreams of these highly spirited team members, which is why they would like to see some of the players plying their trade in big premier league teams and even outside Botswana borders.

All they need is support from the media and football agents so that talent could be spotted from their dusty grounds. After all, they have proven to be amongst the most disciplined teams that understand and uphold the mandate of the constituency  tournaments. ENDS