FOOTBALL Newly promoted First Division South outfit, UB Hawks faces administrative challenges, a few hours before the commencement of the league.
After being elected the chairman of the club last year, Ali Mohammed, led the transformation of the club and lured partners and sponsors to ensure that their mandate to get promotion to First Division sees light of day—and they ultimately did in the 2022/2023 season.
With interest and responsibilities growing around the club, close sources told BG Sport that, Mohammed approached the university top brass with a proposal to have some stake in the club with a 50 percent share being mooted.
“It got to a point where you’d wonder, with all this investment I’m putting on the team what is really my stand, when you leave, you leave with nothing. I did propose to have at least 50 percent stake in the team which I believe was fair but I was told it’s not possible. I requested that we source other available options to help us operate better but it never came forth but I wish them all the best, UB Hawks will always be in my heart,” Mohamed responded when contacted for clarity on the matter.
This publication has also been well informed that, Mohammed engaged in talks with an entity [UB enterprise] which represented and negotiated on behalf of the University for the Club, to map a way forward for the two parties to find a common understanding.
However, before an agreement could be reached, the entity was dissolved, leaving the standing of the club hanging on a pendulum.
Investigations by this publication learnt that Mohammed has since distanced himself from assisting the team and has issued an ultimatum to the club executives, stating that unless his wishes are met, he will not return to the club.
“It is a very delicate situation, he sourced some partners and sponsors for the team, which is good, but there were some serious concerns that amounts gained or invested in the team were never disclosed, transparency is very key. The team did not have its own account, instead his [account] was used,” a close source to the developments stated.
The reliable informant however acknowledged that Mohammed contributed significantly to help them formulate strong structures which governs their operations and promote the club’s brand visibility to give it an identity.
The standoff between the two parties has seen some quarters from the club’s side accuse Mohammed of plotting tactics to frustrate the team and twist their hand to get his demands.
“He hasn’t been paying the players and he made false promises to some players and now he is nowhere to be seen," BG Sport informant shared.
Top university management have reportedly distanced themselves from the team and have failed to make any commitment to assist the team in the coming season.
“It’s so surprising that the school management claims that UB Hawks is not recognized in their structures yet the team uses the university bus, facilities for training and they [University of Botswana] provide the team with meals and have assisted with other logistics at the play-offs recently,” a source close to the developments said.
Meanwhile, BG Sport has also unearthed that, there are at least two teams in the First Division who have expressed interest to work with the Managing Director of O3 Beverages and an agreement is expected to be reached before long.
Hawks won the Gaborone Regional Football Association (GRFA) league and ultimately secured a slot in the coming season of First Division South (FDS) league following successful regional promotional play-off tournament which was held in Jwaneng.
After being elected the chairman of the club last year, Ali Mohammed, led the transformation of the club and lured partners and sponsors to ensure that their mandate to get promotion to First Division sees light of day—and they ultimately did in the 2022/2023 season.
With interest and responsibilities growing around the club, close sources told BG Sport that, Mohammed approached the university top brass with a proposal to have some stake in the club with a 50 percent share being mooted.
“It got to a point where you’d wonder, with all this investment I’m putting on the team what is really my stand, when you leave, you leave with nothing. I did propose to have at least 50 percent stake in the team which I believe was fair but I was told it’s not possible. I requested that we source other available options to help us operate better but it never came forth but I wish them all the best, UB Hawks will always be in my heart,” Mohamed responded when contacted for clarity on the matter.
This publication has also been well informed that, Mohammed engaged in talks with an entity [UB enterprise] which represented and negotiated on behalf of the University for the Club, to map a way forward for the two parties to find a common understanding.
However, before an agreement could be reached, the entity was dissolved, leaving the standing of the club hanging on a pendulum.
Investigations by this publication learnt that Mohammed has since distanced himself from assisting the team and has issued an ultimatum to the club executives, stating that unless his wishes are met, he will not return to the club.
“It is a very delicate situation, he sourced some partners and sponsors for the team, which is good, but there were some serious concerns that amounts gained or invested in the team were never disclosed, transparency is very key. The team did not have its own account, instead his [account] was used,” a close source to the developments stated.
The reliable informant however acknowledged that Mohammed contributed significantly to help them formulate strong structures which governs their operations and promote the club’s brand visibility to give it an identity.
The standoff between the two parties has seen some quarters from the club’s side accuse Mohammed of plotting tactics to frustrate the team and twist their hand to get his demands.
“He hasn’t been paying the players and he made false promises to some players and now he is nowhere to be seen," BG Sport informant shared.
Top university management have reportedly distanced themselves from the team and have failed to make any commitment to assist the team in the coming season.
“It’s so surprising that the school management claims that UB Hawks is not recognized in their structures yet the team uses the university bus, facilities for training and they [University of Botswana] provide the team with meals and have assisted with other logistics at the play-offs recently,” a source close to the developments said.
Meanwhile, BG Sport has also unearthed that, there are at least two teams in the First Division who have expressed interest to work with the Managing Director of O3 Beverages and an agreement is expected to be reached before long.
Hawks won the Gaborone Regional Football Association (GRFA) league and ultimately secured a slot in the coming season of First Division South (FDS) league following successful regional promotional play-off tournament which was held in Jwaneng.
