The Blues allegedly valued at P20 million
In the midst of a frustrating season for Township Rollers, marred by an ongoing controversial case involving the registration of Onkarabile Ratanang, it has emerged that there could be yet another twist relating to the ownership of the club. Close reports suggest that the club President, Jagdish Natwarlal Shah, ahead of the current season, submitted documents which suggested that the club owes him an amount in excess of P20 million. The Botswana Football Association (BFA) club licensing office, who were working on issuing licenses to local clubs allegedly notified
Shah that, given the amount of the debt, Rollers would not be given license to compete in the Botswana Football League. The Mapalastina President reportedly withdrew the letter that carried the said debt amount, he however classified the debt as the value of the club should there be any future interest to sell the Gaborone based side. According to information from the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA), Township Rollers are now a private company, trading as Township Rollers Proprietary Limited and Shah owns 80 percent shares of the club with Kgosi
Ngakayagae owning the remaining 20 percent. Speculations over possible relocation of the Rollers president have fueled suggestions that the club could be put up for sale. Local media reports recently indicated that Shah, who is also the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Deputy Treasurer, will not contest to defend the position at the upcoming national congress of the party as he contemplates relocation. During the current registration saga involving his club, there has been suggestions that the club could be relegated to lower division league as part of the possible charges.
Shah, according to close reports will not stand for such a harsh punishment, in fact, he has threatened that he will leave the club. Given his close business connections in the United States of America (USA), it is not a surprise that there has been rumours that there is an interest of potential investors from the USA. Furthermore, information reaching this publication is that, Shah has had alleged fall out with the BFA President Maclean Letshwiti who has failed to defend or mitigate in the current Onkarabile Ratanang case. Botswana Football League (BFL) Chairman, Nicolas Zakhem, is reportedly also not in good terms with Shah, with the fall-out emanating in the wake of the current case of Onkarabile Ratanang’s registration.
“He has fallen out of favour within the BDP and he is looking to move out of the country; he is likely to not contest for his current position in the party in the August at the national congress. The current situation in football is also not ideal, he has lost interest. He has done a lot of good things in football and for him to be facing the current situation is frustrating and is not worth a fight,” a close source to the matter shared. The Township Rollers President has declined on several attempts, to respond to questions forwarded to him by this publication.
The club’s Chief Executive Officer, Bennett Mamelodi has however vehemently dismissed the reports that the club could be up for sale.
“That’s news to me, there is nothing like that whatsoever, it’s not true,” Mamelodi strongly denied.
Shah has seen over the recent success of the club, including their impressive campaign in the CAF Champions’ League in 2018, amongst several local league titles and local trophies.
Ahead of the current season, the club did not invest or revamp their squad and they have since finished second in the BFL league, the lack of competing for top local talents is another indication of Shah’s reluctance to continue spending on the club, according to close observers.
The pending case against the club, which has been dragging for months now, following countless postponements, was expected to be concluded by Thursday this week.
Shah that, given the amount of the debt, Rollers would not be given license to compete in the Botswana Football League. The Mapalastina President reportedly withdrew the letter that carried the said debt amount, he however classified the debt as the value of the club should there be any future interest to sell the Gaborone based side. According to information from the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA), Township Rollers are now a private company, trading as Township Rollers Proprietary Limited and Shah owns 80 percent shares of the club with Kgosi
Ngakayagae owning the remaining 20 percent. Speculations over possible relocation of the Rollers president have fueled suggestions that the club could be put up for sale. Local media reports recently indicated that Shah, who is also the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Deputy Treasurer, will not contest to defend the position at the upcoming national congress of the party as he contemplates relocation. During the current registration saga involving his club, there has been suggestions that the club could be relegated to lower division league as part of the possible charges.
Shah, according to close reports will not stand for such a harsh punishment, in fact, he has threatened that he will leave the club. Given his close business connections in the United States of America (USA), it is not a surprise that there has been rumours that there is an interest of potential investors from the USA. Furthermore, information reaching this publication is that, Shah has had alleged fall out with the BFA President Maclean Letshwiti who has failed to defend or mitigate in the current Onkarabile Ratanang case. Botswana Football League (BFL) Chairman, Nicolas Zakhem, is reportedly also not in good terms with Shah, with the fall-out emanating in the wake of the current case of Onkarabile Ratanang’s registration.
“He has fallen out of favour within the BDP and he is looking to move out of the country; he is likely to not contest for his current position in the party in the August at the national congress. The current situation in football is also not ideal, he has lost interest. He has done a lot of good things in football and for him to be facing the current situation is frustrating and is not worth a fight,” a close source to the matter shared. The Township Rollers President has declined on several attempts, to respond to questions forwarded to him by this publication.
The club’s Chief Executive Officer, Bennett Mamelodi has however vehemently dismissed the reports that the club could be up for sale.
“That’s news to me, there is nothing like that whatsoever, it’s not true,” Mamelodi strongly denied.
Shah has seen over the recent success of the club, including their impressive campaign in the CAF Champions’ League in 2018, amongst several local league titles and local trophies.
Ahead of the current season, the club did not invest or revamp their squad and they have since finished second in the BFL league, the lack of competing for top local talents is another indication of Shah’s reluctance to continue spending on the club, according to close observers.
The pending case against the club, which has been dragging for months now, following countless postponements, was expected to be concluded by Thursday this week.
