- Accepts Zac’s proposal
- GU set to move from society to company
- Players paid outstanding salaries
LETLHOGILE MPUANG
Gaborone United Executive Committee (EXCO) have accepted investor Nicholas Zackhem’s proposal to take over the club, a transition that could soon see the club move from a society into a fully registered company. GU have, in recent months, endured some of their toughest times in recent years , with the club rocked by serious financial challenges that saw a number of star players leave for greener pastures.
The 2008/09 league champions were also recently docked points after failing to pay former player Bismarck Appiah $39 500 (approximately P400 000) on time. However, an unnamed good samaritan helped the club clear the debt. In August this publication reported that the club’s Elders Committee who were tasked with running the club during the crisis period rejected Zackhem’s proposal.
One of the committee members Tymon Katlholo told Gazette Sport then, that they were not happy with Zac’s proposal and rather were working on a counter proposal. The Elders Committee in September told members of the media in a press conference that they believed that the club was fine without an investor but should rather look for sponsors to help finance the team.
At the club’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) last month, the members of the GU society decided against extending the Elders Committee’s mandate and in the process elected a new executive committee. The members made it clear that the club be handed over to Zackhem, who expressed his undying love for the club and said he was more than willing to assist. Two months after being elected into office, the executive committee are close to their mandate of handing over the team to the investor. A source at the club has told this publication that the process is underway.
“There has been a lot happening behind the scenes,the EXCO has accepted the proposal that Zac had tabled to the Elders, but the general membership will also have a huge say,” revealed the source.
“One of the issues that are being discussed at length is how the hand over process is going to happen, the two parties are trying to find common ground, which is likely to see GU move from a society into a registered company. In terms of the running of the club Zackhem has already secured funds to pay players outstanding salaries of August and September. He has also pursued a new coach in Philemon Makhwengwe. He will continue to be assisted by Stephen Maphosa and Khalid Niyonzima.”
The source, in the end, revealed that the new EXCO were still awaiting official hand over from the Elders Committee. Reached for comment Gaborone United chairman Boitumelo Nsunge said it was still early to make comments regarding their progress since being elected into office.
“It is still early to make a comment on that, it has not even been a month in office, so I cannot deny nor confirm that there has been any progress happening,” briefly gave Nsunge.