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Israeli Billionaire Lands At Chiefs
(MMEGI / THE REPORTER (BOTSWANA) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) High riding Mascom Premier League title favourites Mochudi Centre Chiefs have received a major boost from an international businessman from Israel.
Moti Ganz, the owner of Motiganz Diamond Group announced yesterday that his multinational concern will sponsor Chiefs for an indefinite period. The billionaire did not indicate the sponsorship amount but he pledged to do his best to ensure that Chiefs become one of the best clubs in southern Africa. "The period will depend on our relationship," he said. Ganz recently set up a company in Gaborone.
He told Mmegi Sport during his short stint in Gaborone, that he decided to sponsor Chiefs because of his love for football. He said that after being given an opportunity to set up a company in Botswana, he decided to give back to the community by sponsoring the big spending Kgatleng giants.
"I love Botswana and though I cannot promise to bring Maradonna here, I can ensure that I will be there for the club (Chiefs) financially. I want to help Chiefs to become one of the best clubs in Africa and I am doing this from the bottom of my heart," he said with a smile. He has watched Chiefs play once this season and he believes that the club has what it takes to win the national title. "I want Chiefs to become champions and to make the dream come true, during the period, I will bring the Israeli national team coach here to share his knowledge with Chiefs' technical team. This will be part of a plan to turn the club into what we want it to be," he said.
Ganz said that he has been impressed by the passion of Chiefs' officials during the negotiations. "I can see that they love the game and their supporters are passionate. I want to be part of this dream," he said. Due to his busy schedule, Ganz said he would not be able to attend as many Chiefs' games as he would have wanted. "I will always try my best to come and see the team in action. This is the most exciting period for me," he said.
Though he did not want to mention the big plans he has for Chiefs, Ganz said that soon, supporters would be very proud of the club. "When they play, people should be able to identify them easily. They will have to be always wearing Chiefs' replicas," he said.
Mmegi Sport learnt that Ganz has promised that he would bankroll Chiefs' continental campaign next year if the Kgatleng giants win the national title and qualify for the African Champions League. Chiefs' chairman Ernest Molome told Mmegi Sport that they have been waiting for such a sponsorship for long. "We welcome the sponsorship with open hands and hope that everybody involved from the management, players and supporters, will ensure that the sponsor gets the mileage he deserves," said Molome.
He said they are aware that their sponsor wants them to win the league and that is what they are going to do. "It has been our plan to win the league this season. The fact that he has promised that he will sponsor our campaign in Africa if we win the league would also motivate us," he said. The ever-confident chairman told Mmegi Sport that they want to win each and every available cup in the country.
"What is left is for us to work on improving our membership and make members visible at every game," he said. It is expected that very soon, Molome and communications manager Clifford Mogomotsi will go on a country tour to address supporters about the sponsorship.
Chiefs' players are expected to wear kits provided by Motiganz Group when they take on Gaborone United in a league game on November 23.
Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media. (allafrica.com)
Copyright 2007 Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana), Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media , Source: The Financial Times Limited
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