11 Jun 2014

Jonas Ikgopoleng was re-elected chairperson of Francistown Regional Football Association (FRAFA) during an annual general meeting recently.

Ikgopoleng came up against the same people who challenged him when he was elected the previous time being acting treasurer and secretary for the region, Obvious Moyo, the vice chairperson, Lenyeletse Tamucha and Neo Gabalebatse who was forced to resign from the committee under controversial circumstances over allegations of misuse of funds.

Ikgopoleng garnered 40 votes followed by Tamucha with seven votes while Moyo and Gabalebatse got three votes each.

However, one of the losing candidates, Gabalebatse protested the results immediately, citing that she was de-campaigned on the basis of allegations that happened two years ago when she was suspended and accused of misusing the region’s funds amounting to P5 700.

This was after the acting treasurer in his financial report to the annual general meeting raised the issue and Gabalebatse felt hard done. Gabalebatse was given the opportunity to protest in writing to the mother body, Botswana Football Association (BFA) within seven days.

The newly elected First Division North chairperson, Eatlametse Olopeng, observed that local football starting from the mother body to regional structures was surrounded by challenges which arise from personalities and personal interests placed ahead of the game.

Olopeng explained that unless there was a change in the way team representatives elect people to run football on their behalf, these issues will not go away and as such it was their responsibility to make changes which will benefit football not personalities.

“People you elect to office should fully understand the mandate of the region and why they were elected,” he said.Furthermore, Olopeng urged the committee to voice out their concerns instead of dying in silence, noting that currently regions are running leagues instead of focusing on the development of football.

On the issue of non-availability of sponsors he said that it was of no use to have so many teams and leagues which were struggling. “It is time we consider merging some of the teams in the region,” he said. ENDS