Systems tackle mental health ahead of return

Ayear and a half without kicking the ball affects a player’s body and emotional well-being. When the government lifted a ban on sport activities, the focus shifted to getting the players fit to get the ball rolling again.

However, players had been plunged into 18 months of depression, anxiety and stress brought by the uncertainties on their return to work.

On Tuesday, Premier League side, Security Systems held a psychological care and support workshop for players and technical staff. The workshop held under the theme ‘Thorny road to reclaim victory’ was to prepare the mental capacity of the players ahead of the league return on September 11, 2021, while also giving insights on preparing for life after football.

Speaking to Mmegi Sport, Systems’ captain, Osego ‘Willie’ Gaotewe said during the lengthy break, players were in a dark hole. He said the ‘headache’ was brought by the financial distress as their main source of income had been cut.

“We were down in spirit. As a football player when you are not playing or at least training it means you are not working, and it means you are not earning anything. That is where questions start creeping, of where are you going to get the money. You start thinking not of yourself, but your family because most of us provide for our families through football,” he said.

“It affected us a lot, we used to talk amongst ourselves, asking each other questions of what next? During that period we were on standby, before we could start thinking of receiving a salary, we were asking ourselves when will we be able to go and earn that salary.”

Willie said the Tuesday’s workshop was an eye-opener, as it was not only on the psychological part but players also learnt about finding new cash streams as they prepare for life after football.

“I think I would be speaking on behalf of all players when I say, after Tuesday we feel much lighter. We have got the counselling we all have been yearning for. On the other hand, we were trained on how and where to invest. Most of us depend on the salary from the club; we do not have any other source of income. But I feel if we return to another period of no play, most of us will not worry about the finances because we are now motivated and ready to prepare for life without football. It was a really good exercise and we can only thank the club leadership for their efforts,” Gaotewe said.

Prior to the stoppage of the league, Systems were in the form of their life. The Alarm Boys finished fourth in the 2019-2020 season just two points from champions, Jwaneng Galaxy.

“I can say the players are looking very good. What has happened in the past months is now in the past. We are now looking forward and it is continuity from the last season,” Gaotewe said.

“The coach has left but most of the players are still here. It is the players who make the team, we just need to gel well with the new coach’s methods and take it off

where we left.”