Gunners, ‘investor’ to kiss and make up?
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday January 27, 2024 06:00
THAMA Holdings joined Gunners as the premier sponsor at the start of the First Division South season and got an 80% stake, while the general membership had the remaining 20%. However, early into a partnership meant to ease the financial troubles of the Lobatse-based side, THAMA Holdings pulled out of the deal citing verbal and physical attacks on Sechele and some of the Gunners executive committee members by some of the Gunners supporters. Following this development, Gunners public relations officer, Isaac Mmualefhe, announced in November that THAMA Holdings would not pay players' salaries and rentals from December going forward. In addition, the investor indicated that he would also be withdrawing support for transport for both training and match days. The company also stopped catering for players' meals during matches, with production and sale of replica jerseys also being halted.
MmegiSport is reliably informed that the animosity from the past year could be over and the two parties working on renewing their vows and walk into the future as one. 'It was an in-house matter, like a matter between a husband and a wife indoors. It is just that the other party was too quick to publicise the issues. The issues are currently being discussed and a solution is in the horizon,' a source told MmegiSport. Meanwhile, Mmualefe was non-committal when contacted. 'THAMA is handling the matter, therefore I am constrained to speak on it. Besides, I haven't talked to him about the issue,' Mmualefe said. Pointing to the possibility of a 'save Gunners' plan in the offing, Mmualefe said the club's financial position was such that it could stay afloat up to the end of this season's campaign. He said, though, that Gunners was heavily reliant on membership contributions to survive. 'Gunners have a very determined membership. We have also realised that one bad thing, no matter how small, can overshadow the many good things we are doing. But I am pleased to note that Gunners members are determined to keep the club afloat, with or without an investor,' Mmualefe said.
He added that since the start of this season's campaign, Gunners has been able to meet its obligation on players' salaries including working towards clearing a P2 million debt. Meanwhile, Gunners returns to the grounds in a league clash against Desert Nxau at the Lobatse Council Stadium on Saturday at 4pm. Still on Saturday, City Polar welcome Mogoditshane Fighters at the City Polar Stadium at 4pm. UB Hawks will make a short trip to Tlokweng VDC grounds where Tlokweng United lie in wait. Kick-off is at 4:30pm. Notwane and URI Black Forest will face off at the Holy Ghost Arena at 4:30pm, while Uniao Flamengo Santos visit Mochudi Centre Chiefs at the Riverplate Ground at 4:30pm. Log leaders, Young Stars, are away to Prisons at the SSG Grounds at 4:30pm.