MASERU — Buddie Premier League champions Lioli have clinched a partnership deal with telecommunications company Econet-Telecom.
“We have signed a strategic business partnership with Econet-Telecom,” Lioli president Lebohang Thotanyana said at a press conference last Friday.
“The deal is purely commercial. It is not sponsorship.
“But we can reveal that we are in business with Econet.
Though details of the deal were not revealed, Thotanyana said the partnership would be mutually beneficial to both the club and Econet-Telecom.
“We are equal partners in this deal,” he said.
“Lioli do not belong to one person but to the community, so a situation where Econet takes over the club cannot happen.
“Lioli are not planning to sell.”
The deal comes on the back of Lioli’s league victory, their first in 24 years.
Econet-Telecom is already the Premier League’s official sponsor.
Meanwhile, Thotanyana said Lioli will engage a fulltime administrator.
“We have big plans, but they can’t be fulfilled because we (Lioli’s executive) can’t be on the job fulltime,” he said.
“Sometimes you get home from your job tired and you can’t handle the club’s affairs.
“(So) we need someone who will oversee the day-to-day running of the club.”
Thotanyana said the move was part of Lioli’s ambitious plans to turn professional.
“We are answering the call of the Mohale Declaration,” he said.
“We are a club that is trying to progress.
“Hopefully other clubs in the country can follow our example.”
Thotanyana also said they were working on improving Lioli’s home ground in Teyateyaneng.
“We already have someone who will come in to assist in the improvement of our home ground,” he said.