Rollers Lose Chief Financier
Amidst a season that has tested their resilience, Township Rollers Football Club finds itself grappling with more than just goals and victories. In a dramatic turn of events, their long-standing chief financier and President, Jagdish Shah, has bid farewell to the club, leaving an unmistakable void. But that's not all – the club's Chief Executive Officer, Bennett Mamelodi, is rumored to be following suit, shaking the very foundation of MmaMasire.
In a statement that echoed across the local footballing realm, TRFC Chairman, Bafana Pheto, confirmed the dissolution of this once powerful partnership. With the official handover having taken place before the end of May, Shah's absence from the country only deepens the intrigue. Pheto, however, remains tight-lipped about the club's future, emphasizing that the delicate process must run its course before any revelations are made. "We won't disrupt the flow," Pheto cryptically stated, leaving fans hanging on tenterhooks.
Behind closed doors, though, whispers abound. An insider revealed that Township Rollers FC is already forging ahead, refusing to let this setback define them. With new office premises secured, the club is shedding its old skin as Shah's office will soon be a thing of the past. Even amidst the transition, the club is committed to keeping some of its employees on board, loyal faces who had been part of the previous regime.
As the curtain falls on an era marked by challenges and change, Township Rollers Football Club stands at the precipice of an uncertain future. Will they rise from the ashes, fueled by the fire of renewal, or will the upheaval prove insurmountable? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the winds of transformation are blowing through MmaMasire, and Township Rollers FC is determined to weather the storm. “We are going re-negotiate contracts with the players who wants to stay with the team, players signed contract with the club, not Shah, he will settle their fees for this season and the society will have to take over while we negotiate with another partner,” the source clarified.
The source went on to say that the club was approached by several potential investors, and they are pleased with the response they get from the corporate world but then again, they have reached a conclusion that they will never give away the club the way they did.
“We had a meeting earlier on and came up with new conditions that whoever comes won’t be in full charge of the team,” the source said. Shah's reported demands included being handed full ownership of the club or he leaves with his assets and investment that have been enjoyed by the club over the years except the membership software and social media passwords. Considered one of the most valuable sporting brands in the country, Township Rollers has lost everything they got from Shah.
On the letter he wrote to the club board earlier this year, he said, he shall close the TRFC office, terminate the lease for accommodation, terminate the lease for the training field, withdraw all the vehicles, including the bus, give the society team merchandise at a cost, give notice to the Jamali family for the houses and training field and withdraw the free usage of Jack's Gym by Township Rollers at the end of the ongoing season. The letter further reads that the Society should start re-negotiating with players who wish to stay and play for the team, stating that he will share all player contracts.
The society should also be prepared to pay the statutory subscriptions fees of the Botswana Football Association (BFA) and the Botswana Football League (BFL), liaise with UMBRO if they want to continue with it. Sha has played his part during the clubs' illustrious years since 2013, they had won the premier league five times in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Mascom Top 8 once in 2018, Barclays Kabelano Charity Cup twice in 2014 and 2015. They also went to the group stages of the CAF Champions League in 2018. For the season of 2022/2023, Township Rollers has been knocked out of the Orange FA cup and are likely to finish the league in Top 4.