Sankuyo Bush Bucks Football club mourns the demise of its former Chairperson, Mokolobetsi Pelekekae, who reportedly succumbed to COVID-19 this past weekend at Sir Ketumile Masire teaching hospital in Gaborone.
The 46-year-old Pelekekae was an employee of North West District Council at the time of his demise.
Remembering him, current football club Chairperson, Itumeleng Kelebetseng said, “Pelekekae truly loved football. Even after stepping down from his position as the football club chairman, he still rallied behind the club with full support and he would sometimes buy the boys football boots. That is how selfless he was.”
Born in Kanye, Pelekekae was at the helm of the football club when it was promoted from First Division to the Premier league at the end of the 2013/14 season.
“It was that same feeling the country had when Zebras qualified for the first time for AFCON 2012.; a history in the making. We attached that importance to the victory and the whole of Ngamiland was proud. That is what Pelekekae will always be remembers for; for playing that very important role of bringing the cream of football to Ngamiland,” added Bonniface Keakabetse, a sport reporter in Maun.
Founded by a team of boys in Sankoyo village, about sixty kilometres from Maun the rising of the football team, otherwise known as Ngurungu boys, a name derived from Seyei , one of the common languages spoken in Maun, it is little wonder that its progression to premier league is still a cause of celebration today, even though in 2019 it was relegated back to first division.
“Some people don’t know the amount of contribution that Pelekekae made to see this team rise to premiere league status. At the time, there were no sponsors and when issues of transport arose, for instance when the team had to travel close to a thousand kilometers to play in Gaborone, Pelekekae would sponsor the team from his own pocket,” explained the Sankuyo village chief, Kgosi Timex Moalosi.
He was paying tribute to the lost hero whose death he explained as very “untimely.”
“We are still reeling in shock because this was unexpected. We never heard of his ill health but only about his sudden death. We have lost a very selfless individual who lived and dreamed football,” added Kgosi Moalosi.
With Ngamiland known to produce good athletes including the likes of Amantle Montsho among others, Pelekekae will be remembered for exposing Ngamiland to its very best soccer players.
“He was friendly to players as well and very approachable. We have been saddened by his passing. May his soul rest in eternal peace. We will forever remember and honour his memory. He was a rare gem,” Moalosi added.
