TAFIC takeover extends to netball teams
Chakalisa Dube | Saturday February 11, 2023 06:00
The fuel and logistics company was recently announced as the new owner of TAFIC. The company owns 90% of the club while 10% belongs to the supporters. Nothing much was said about the future of the netball teams when the takeover of the team was announced.
Toteng has since clarified the takeover agreement. “The takeover arrangement with the new investor includes all teams under the TAFIC brand. Well put, it includes our two netball teams (for men and women) and male football youth teams. We will be launching our Under-15 and 17 youth teams sometime in March,” Toteng told MmegiSport. “The support that will be extended to netball teams will include all the costs associated with running them such as transport and logistics. They will soon get a branded kit and equipment.
I recently briefed the two teams about the takeover by Petro Hyper and what it means to them. Our netball supporters should expect some positives.” The new investor has reportedly invested a respectable sum of money in the football team. Although it is still early days, the result of the investment has already started to show, with the club occupying the summit of the First Division North League.
The club’s immediate priority is to earn promotion to the elite league. The TAFIC men’s netball team is in its formative years while the women’s team was founded decades ago but has often been less competitive owing to a lack of sponsorship. The team has also often struggled to compete effectively with teams in the southern part of the country. The two teams currently campaign in a netball league sponsored by mining giant, Lucara. Toteng added that club also intends to establish a women's football team.
He said the idea to establish the team is still in its infancy as it involves many factors. He emphasised that the idea to establish the women’s football team is to contribute positively to the women’s game in the country which has been growing at an impressive rate. The BFA has also been pushing for the formation of the women’s team by established clubs across the country. Meanwhile, the club has maintained that the takeover deal by Petro Hyper will be made official in due course.