BPL and GU chairman resigns

The Chairman of Gaborone United (GU) Football Club Rapula Okaile has resigned with immediate effect this week. The reasons for his abrupt resignation are not yet clear. However, Okaile has cited personal reasons when reached for comment on the matter.

According to GU General Manager Olebile Sikwane, Okaile’s surprise resignation is a monumental loss to the team. Okaile is said to have been the chief sponsor of the team and his departure has left a gaping hole at GU.

Sikwane said the team is currently in talks with stakeholders to map the way forward. He said there was no bad blood within GU management and Okaile’s reasons for leaving the team are personal.

“He has been at the helm of the club for a long time, it is not about GU but other issues,” Sikwane said.

The GU General Manager said Okaile has been chairman of the team for the past two and a half years. “As far his memory can recall, he has been with GU for more than 30 years.”

Nevertheless, speculation is rife that the chairman was pushed out of the team. It is alleged that Okaile had lost favour with most of the GU family and majority were already calling for him to resign.

“He was a man in trouble, he no longer had confidence to continue leading the club, he was forced to call it a day,” said a source close to the matter.

It is not yet clear who will take over from Okaile, however former GU Director and financier Nicholas Zakhem is likely to take over. Another possible candidate is GU Secretary General City Senne.

Meanwhile, Okaile’s resignation automatically means he forfeits his position as chairman of the Botswana Premier League (BPL) Board. BPL Acting CEO Thabo Ntshinogang said he was shocked to learn that the ambitious chairman had resigned.

He said BPL is going to be affected in that Okaile was involved in a lot of things, including decision making at board level.

Nevertheless, he said they have no choice but to accept the unforeseen turn of events. Ntshinogang said they would give GU all the necessary time to find a suitable replacement.