Makgalemele returns to sports

As Sports fraternity remains hopefu

Veteran sports fanatic Dikgang Makgalemele has made a triumphant return to serving sports, as the newly appointed Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development.

Though he had hoped for promotion to a higher post, Makgalemele has promised to serve Batswana to the best of his abilities.

Before ascending to being a football administrator and current MP for Shoshong, Makgalemele played football at various levels, including for amongst others at Lotsane Senior Secondary School, Shoshong United, Black Peril, Notwane, Township Rollers and had a short stint at Zebras under the late Thomas Zero Johnson. 

At Notwane his fans nicknamed him “Onketsang” in appreciation of the many goals he scored for the team alongside the late Buick Sebogodi and Brown Gasemotho. 

Onketsang was a popular song at the time. He was to later become an administrator – team manager and chairman of Notwane, and manager of Under 17 team that hosted the first Africa Under 17 games in 1995. He later became the President of BFA between in 2004 – 2008 after retiring at the age of 26, as football player.

Asked how he felt on his new assignment, Makgalemele emphatically said: “It feels good to be back to serve where I started.” 

He was however quick to acknowledge that a lot of positive things have happened since Thapelo Olopeng was appointed to the helm, adding that he  (Makgalemele) was ready to adjust and add value. 

Asked if he does not see potential conflict given his passion for football and his patron role in youth organisations and BEPA? His quick response was, “I will be a servant and leader for all.”

He said, where he suspects potential conflict, he will seek counsel from Olopeng.