Consultancy to open avenues for players
Mqondisi Dube | Saturday February 4, 2023 06:00
No Boundaries Sports founder and CEO, Naledi Mompati said the company was set up last year to establish beneficial relationships between South African clubs and the local football market.
“I have connections in South Africa and I have also engaged the local football authorities about this project. We want to open borders for players to move without hassles,” she said. Mompati, who is Mogoditshane Fighters vice chairperson, said if local teams want to play with their South African counterparts, the avenues should be open.
“I have a good relationship with Black Leopards. Any team that wants to play a friendly match with Leopards should be free to do so,” she said. Mompati was instrumental in Phillimon Makgwengwe’s move to Leopards last season.
She said she enjoys a good relationship with Lidoda Duvha owner, David Thidiela. She said there is another team in the lower leagues in Mafikeng that she has an agreement with. Mompati added that the declining number of Botswana players in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League must be reversed. Thatayaone ‘TT’ Ditlhokwe remains the only Botswana player in South Africa’s top division. “We will definitely change that.
We want more of our players to play internationally,” she said. Mompati indicated that two unnamed players are already lined up for moves in South Africa. She added it is not only players that they work with, but administrators and coaches as well. “We can take them there (to South Africa) so that they can benefit. What I have picked is that we do not support each other,” she said.
She said she will soon announce No Boundary Sports board members. Mompati said they want players to go to school as education is key. To ensure players’ future beyond their playing days, Mompati said they encourage them to invest. “It is not nice to later see the players struggling after their careers. That is why we encourage them to go to school and also to invest. We make sure that a certain percentage of their salary is invested as football is a short career,” she said. Mompati is working with two agents from South Africa, Sibusiso Nkosi and John Agbalessi. Former Orlando Pirates midfielder, Endelbert Dinha is also involved. “Dinha is more like a brother to me.
He looks at players’ profiles and advises which teams to approach and he talks to some. Patrick Mabedi is also there to guide us. Our brand ambassador is Morefire (the musician). We also work with Comfort Ramatebele,” Mompati said. No Boundaries Sports also has frequent programmes discouraging the use of drugs in sports, a programme spearheaded by former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs left back, Sibusiso Khumalo.