Many football stars, such as Sadio Mane, Marcus Rashford of Senegal and England respectively and others, have used their fame and fortune to change the lives of communities in their respective countries and beyond.
While there is no breakout soccer star in Botswana that has the financial muscle on the scale of Mane and Rashford, some local stars and even social football clubs are also giving back to their communities.
Eight social soccer clubs in Francistown are also joining the bandwagon after organising a charity soccer tournament. The clubs will organise a football tournament on August 1 to raise money for toiletries for Tagala Primary School students in Gerald Estate.
One of the organisers, Thabo Nyambe, who is also an additional member of Botswana Football Association (BFA) National Executive Committee (NEC) Youth Member (Northern Block), said that four teams, Stress Social Soccer Club, Ghetto Gunners Supporters Club, Setlhare Senna Noga, and the Administration of Justice will face off at Tagala football grounds.
“The objective of the tournament, which will be played in a one-match league format, is to raise money to buy toiletries for the students of Tagala in the aftermath of [the height of] COVID-19 which has made it difficult for some families to buy basic necessities for their children. We are doing so as part of our social responsibility,” said Nyambe.
He added: “We will raise the funds through selling food and beverages during the tournament. The entrance fee during the tourney is P5. All the participating teams have already bought 30 plates of food as a way of contributing funds for the noble endeavour.
We plead with residents of Francistown to attend the tournament in large numbers to make it a success.” The next phase of the tournament will be held on August 7 also at Tagala, said Nyambe. “The teams are Club 229 Social Club, Nyangabgwe Hospital Sporting Club, Magosi A Ghetto Social Club, and Royal Kings Social Club.
The winners and runners-up from each group will compete in the final on August 27 at the old Francistown stadium,” Nyambe stated. “All the participating teams will be awarded trophies and appreciation certificates. The top goal scorer, best goalkeeper, and player of the tournament will be given medals for their efforts. However, the award ceremony will take place in October at a date to be decided in Tagala during the handing over ceremony of the toiletries,” he added.
