Rebuilding Phase Begins for Rollers
Township Rollers FC finds themselves in a challenging period as they enter a rebuilding phase following a significant setback. Last month, their Chief Financier, Jagdish Shah, departed after failing to reach an agreement with the club. This departure is expected to deal a heavy blow to Rollers, both on and off the pitch when moving forward.
Throughout the 2022/23 season campaign, they faced numerous trials and were tested by rival teams.
Finishing the season in fourth place with 53 points, Popa fell behind Orapa United, Gaborone United, and the reigning champions, Jwaneng Galaxy. However, amidst these difficulties, a glimmer of hope emerged for the club this week. Prestige Parlour, in collaboration with TRFC, has stepped in as the sponsor for the supporter's membership package. This partnership aims to provide enhanced funeral benefits to Rollers' loyal members.
In addition to the funeral cover, Prestige Parlour has generously donated three vehicles to the club. These vehicles, including two Nissan NP 200s and a Nissan Navara, will prove instrumental in relieving the team and facilitating their day-to-day operations. Shah had withdrawn all the vehicles that were previously at the team's disposal, further compounding their challenges.
The official announcement of this partnership was made over the past weekend, just before Township Rollers' final match of the season against Nico United in Selebi Phikwe. Pako Lebanna, Rollers' Head of Media Team and acting Club Public Relations Officer, spoke with SUN SPORT this week, expressing his gratitude for Prestige's support. Lebanna emphasized that the collaboration signifies a new chapter for the club, providing much-needed assistance during these trying times. “The club is still negotiating other benefits for members to enjoy and on top of that they have donated three cars, Nissan Navara and two NP200 which now belong to the club,” Lebanna stated.
He said that the club is still undergoing a transition process therefore the membership that were at their former long term partners, Liberty Botswana will be migrating to Prestige. Meanwhile, over the past weekend, ahead of Township Rollers' final match of the season against Nico United in Selebi Phikwe, a supporters' motorcade was held to close the Blues' 2022-23 campaign. The motorcade was meant to bring morale, uplift and motivate the supporters of Township Rollers in Selebi Phikwe and surrounding areas.
Club Chairman, Phempheretlhe Bafana Pheto then addressed supporters, and advised them to renew their Membership. Furthermore, Pheto said in addition to a discount on building materials from Eezebuild, the club executive committee is negotiating other benefits and discounts for Roller's members to enjoy. In the evening of Saturday, bonfire was later held in honour of the club players and the technical team. Selibe Phikwe branch gifted each player P100.00 airtime.
Pheto applauded the players and the technical team for the resilience they showed during the just finished season and encouraged them to work extra hard in the upcoming 23/24 season. Quizzed about the Township Rollers Facebook page that was inaccessible for a couple of hours on Monday, Lebanna said they are still trying to ascertain through an internal process the cause, whether it was deactivated or hacked. “We are unable to disclose anything right now, other than that the Facebook page is now restored,” he said.