Lobatse Extension Gunners is reported to have given up on its efforts to rope in an investor who was expected to have joined the Lobatse giant long ago.
Information passed to the Sunday Standard suggests that the Gunners’ leadership is now considering a number of options in an effort to turn around the dwindling fortunes of the team.
Insiders say the Gunners leadership has since approached three companies seeking possible financial assistant and partnership. Business enterprises that Gunners is alleged to have approached for financial back up are Kobe Trading, Choppies Superstores and Allkasi. The latest development comes after Botswana Football Association (BFA) National Executive Committee member, Marshlow Motlogelwa reconciled some former executive committee members and the current committee leadership who were said to be working against each other.
Sources close to the team claim the Gunners chairman has submitted proposals this week to Kobe Trading and the feedback is expected in two weeks.
Choppies is said to have requested the Gunners management to submit financial statements to help the chain supermarket store determine how much it could assist the team with.
“The team has no financial statements and there was nothing to submit to Choppies despite the fact that the company was willing to come on board,” the sources said.
For its part, Gunners long time technical sponsor, AllKasi is reported to have made a proposal that they be given a management contract to manage the team for two years.
“AllKasi was asked to go and draft the contract to see if the management can accept it or not,” sources familiar with the latest developments said. Allkasi reportedly wanted to help the team with kit, transport and also manage match tickets sales.
Contacted for comment, Gunners Chairman Phenyo Gothaang brushed off claims that his team approached the companies in question. “I don’t know anything about that. I haven’t approached any company,” he said. Kgothaang is still optimistic that they will secure a deal with the investor who they had initially approached.
On the upcoming elective Annual General Meeting billed for 31st July, Kgothaang said he doesn’t see himself standing for elections.
“Possibility of me standing for election is close to zero. I am yet to decide whether I will stand,” he said. Kgothaang’s decision not to commit himself to defend his position could be due the fact that since he assumed the leadership of the team Gunners has been in financial doldrums. The team’s efforts to have secured a sponsor since December last year drew a blank.
Gothaang insists that he will issue a press statement that he had promised Gunners fans on the status of the team.
“It is less important from the things compared to things we have been doing this week. What is important is to find a sponsor for Gunners. We can go to the AGM without releasing it or we can release it any time,” explained Gothaang.
