FONG KONG BOOTS

In a shocking revelation from Lekedi, players rejected the boots after the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development had popped out R180 000 towards their procurement.

According to a well-placed source, the team had wanted to buy the boots locally but could not find a suitable supplier.

A suggestion was then made to deposit money into South African-based players, Mogakolodi Ngele and Thatayaone Dithokwe’s accounts to buy the boots from a reliable supplier in Mzansi.

“The General Manager, Monnakgotla Mojaki, however, was against the idea. He said it was too risky to transfer such an amount of money into players’ accounts,” explained the insider.

According to the source, Mojaki was worried that the money would expose players to criminals, especially the notorious South African hijackers.

Voice Sport further learnt that the GM then engaged Pius Mokhwela of Papadi Sports Company to buy the boots in South Africa.

“When they arrived, players wanted nothing to do with them. The boots were substandard and I can’t blame the players for rejecting them, they were knock-offs!” he said.

To prevent what could have been an embarrassing end to the AFCON campaign, BFA management gave all players P1,500 to buy boots of their choice.

“The boots have been in the storeroom since March, and no action has been taken against the supplier who was given a lot of taxpayers’ money,” said the concerned BFA administrator.

While the matter has been under wraps for over two months, the reeking stench from the storeroom has finally reached the ministry.

SHOCK

In an interview with Voice Sport on Tuesday afternoon, the Director of Sports and Recreation, Moreetsi Bogosi, expressed his shock after learning about the boots issue.

Bogosi confirmed that he indeed released funds to the BFA for the purchase of boots for the national team. He said the BFA is yet to file the receipts despite promising to avail the report on 9th April.

“I need to escalate this matter to the mother body, Botswana National Sport Commission. We need that report because the money was specifically for the boots,” he said.

“I’m shocked to learn that the boots were rejected and are now gathering dust in a storeroom. I was never informed about this,” charged Bogosi.

The director said it was unacceptable that players were demoralised going into a crucial AFCON match.

“These are public funds and we need to account!” fired Bogosi.

Asked about the secret in the storeroom, the newly appointed BFA Chief Executive Officer, Goabaone Taylor, said she was not aware of the matter and declined to comment further.

Voice Sport also reached out to Mojaki who referred all questions to the company that was given a tender to purchase the controversial boots.

In his defence, Director of Papadi Sports, Mokhwela, is adamant that the boots he purchased are genuine.

“The players should scan the barcode on the website of the seller to prove their authenticity,” he said, adding he did not want to talk much about the matter as he feared jeopardising his relationship with BFA.