01 Apr 2025

The newly launched Merchandisers Social Club has vowed to support struggling Maun-based Sankoyo Bush Bucks to help it retrace its steps back to the elite league. 

Sankoyo was the first team from the North West region to gain promotion to the Premier League in 2014 but was relegated in 2019.  Merchandisers Social Club’s communication and marketing coordinator Kago Motlhabane confirmed reaching a common ground to partner with Sankoyo as their support base and help them in kind. 

He expressed their intention to support the club by providing resources such as refreshments and meals, as well as to accompany the team to their away games to boost players’ morale. In return they will have a chance to play curtain raiser games at Sankoyo matches to raise funds. Motlhabane said their support would motivate players and improve their performance. 

“Our support is an empowerment drive aiming to uplift the livelihoods of youth in the community not just in soccer but in other talents as well. We also want to see the team returning to the premier league and claiming its reputation and support it enjoyed before,” he added. 

Merchandisers Social Club was officially launched on Saturday at Maun Sports Complex and Motlhabane further explained that the launch marked a culmination of collaboration not only with Sankoyo Bush Bucks but with different social clubs, companies, parastatals, government departments, churches as well as members of the community. He shared some of the club’s objective such as to promote sports related activities, embark on charity activities to assist the needy, as well as to collaborate with other entities including the business community.

Deputy coordinator from Department of Sport and Arts, Refilwe Banda who graced the launch, motivated young people to join social clubs to enjoy the benefits. She appreciated that social clubs not only focused on playing Sunday soccer but also were also bringing together like-minded individuals to share their interests and ideas on life changing issues with an aim to promote healthy lifestyles. 

“Another great benefit of joining such clubs is that it will give you the opportunity to learn and practice new skills through mentorship,” she added. 

Banda also called on youngsters to embrace sporting activities as business ventures full of opportunities noting that participating in different sports enabled one to fight unemployment. 

Councillor for Shashe ward, Keakgotswe Bokhutlo appreciated the new club and motivated its members to work as a unit in order to achieve their mandate. He urged the community to rally behind the club and also encouraged young people to embrace sports as a profession that was capable of uplifting their lives. 

He  advised the club management to join forces with the district leadership to tackle societal ills such as drug abuse, gender-based violence, child negligence and youth delinquency, among others, saying they should embark on public campaigns to raise awareness and promote healthy living. ENDS