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Likhopo Managing director Queen Molatoli (left) pass on some of the gifts to one Matekane family member in Mantsonyane last Saturday
Moorosi Tsiane
THABA-TSEKA- Likhopo manager Qamako Mahao has hailed Matekane Group of Companies (MGC) for the four years the firm has been sponsoring the team.
To show the club’s appreciation of the partnership, Likhopo players and officials visited the family’s Mantšonyane homestead last Saturday.
The family was presented with some gifts by the team management during the visit.
“We have been sponsored by MGC for the past four seasons, in which the company has given us half-a-million maloti every season. This means the company has spent M2million on this team and we just thought coming here where MGC chairman, Ntate Ntsokoane Sam Matekane was born, is the sensible thing to do in showing our appreciation for the sponsorship,” Mahao said.
“We wanted to come to his roots and show some sense of appreciation. They have been good four years for us and we also wanted to show him that he is really part of us.”
The premier league outfit also played two friendly matches against a Thaba-Tseka district select.
Mahao said the two matches were also trials to recruit new and young players.
“Over the years, Likhopo was known for grooming its own players and we want to go back to those days, which is why we asked for this mini-tournament here. We already have two players from Thaba-Tseka district and we are still hoping to get more from these trials as our technical team had already identified some players we may sign.
“The advantage of players born in rural areas is their social life is very clean and that makes them better athletes than urban-born players. The other thing is they are very disciplined,” he said.
“We have also realised that rural-born children are not given as many chances as their urban counterparts. There is immense talent here which only needs to be polished and fine-tuned.”
On behalf of the family, Chief Liphapang Matekane thanked Likhopo for the gifts and showing appreciation for the support they have being getting from MGC.
“I am very happy for this team; this is what we call humility and shows that these are people who appreciate our support. Ntate Matekane had an emergency meeting outside the country which is why he is not here today, but I am certain he will be very happy to arrive home to this good news,” Chief Matekane said.
He also said the trials had helped uplift the spirit of football in Mantšonyane.
“There is so much politics in this region when it comes to football and for these players, it is such a privilege for them to play against a premier league team. That, on its own, will uplift their spirits and I just wish we could have more of this kinds of matches,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Likhopo contingent also visited Mantšonyane Mission where MGC is building a Catholic Mission, primary and high schools, multipurpose hall and sports complex estimated to cost a staggering M120 million.
