24 Jul 2014

The day of reckoning is nigh. After a marathon campaign that saw the contenders crisscrossing the country as they canvassed for votes from regional delegates ahead of the association’s annual general meeting (AGM) on Saturday July 26, there is nothing more they can do, except to make a last minute pitch to try and lure the undecided delegates to their side.

It has been an acrimonious and hotly contested campaign and delegates will decide who among the candidates will be elected to fill the four vacant positions of vice-president administration, vice-president finance, marketing and research as well as two additional members.

The most sought after position is that of vice president-administration, which has pitted football heavyweights Tariq Babitseng, Leviet Ntwaagae and Segolame Ramothwa against each other. The race is too close to call because all the contenders have served football in various capacities and possess varied competencies to carry the sport forward.

Babitseng is the chairperson of first division south; Ntwaagae was chairman of former premier league side Tafic while Ramothwa was chairman of Notwane. All of the three contenders have impeccable records in so far as service to Botswana football is concerned.

But here lies the big question; who amongst them is committed to sound and transparent management, good governance, fairness and zero corruption? The man with these attributes will offer a panacea to Botswana football’s woes. Who amongst the three is the fairest of them all?

Segolame Ramotlhwa

The man is a football heavyweight in his own right, a true servant of football. He was manager of Notwane Football Club from 1999 until 2000. From 2000-2003 Ramotlhwa served as vice chairperson and later chairperson of Notwane.

He also played a key role as a member of the task force assigned to develop the new BFA Constitution in 2002-2004 and has led a number of subsequent constitutional and policy reviews.

If he is elected, this will be the second time around for Ramotlhwa because he previously served as BFA vice president-administration from September 2004 to February 2009, charged with the responsibility of leading the administrative process of implementing the new BFA Constitution.

In an interview ahead of the AGM, Ramotlhwa said while at the helm of the BFA leadership, he managed to bring the corporate community closer to the BFA and subsequently garnered the highest number of sponsorships ever secured by the Association over a given term of office.

“We secured sponsorships for the senior national team, national U-23, women’s football (U-20), premier league, first division and regional football leagues,” he said.

Ramotlhwa also revealed that he developed several policy documents to guide BFA structures for effective implementation of the Constitution, among them the BFA code of conduct, referees code of conduct, guidelines for applying for new membership as well as overhauling and subsequent reviewing of BFA play rules and regulations in line with the new constitution.

“I pioneered the introduction of players’ contracts as well as sponsorships guidelines for members,” he said.

Ramotlhwa, who holds a Master of Science in Pharmacy, said if given the mandate to lead football he would ensure that the Associations adheres to high moral standards, integrity, and good corporate governance.

He added that he will push for youth development, strengthening of women football, regions and other BFA structures for effective implementation of agreed plans and programs as well as professionalization of the game.

“I want a chance to continue where I left off in terms of facilitating development policies and procedures to further guide implementation of the BFA Constitution. The BFA structures must be pushed to achieve set strategic goals and objectives,” he said.

Leviet Ntwaagae

Another contender for the BFA top post; he is a former chairman of Tafic and treasurer of Francistown Regional Football Association (FRAFA). In an interview, Ntwaagae said he was buoyed into contesting for the position of vice president-administration because he wanted to rescue Botswana football, which was taking a nose dive in terms of performance and image.

“The BFA has to formulate a massive marketing and branding strategy, which is in line with current football challenges,” he said. He added that the Association has not been able to showcase its products and services to attract sponsors to football.

He said there are no match day activities that can be used to attract spectators to football matches. If voted, said Ntwaagae, he would ensure that the BFA assists clubs to acquire sponsorship by encouraging partnership arrangements at regional level.

He added that the Association currently operates as if there is no strategy in place to set out long and short term objectives for football. He added that if ever such a strategy exists, then it is overdue for review and alignment to the mother body (BNSC) long term strategy.

Another problem that Ntwaagae highlighted is lack of capacity at the BFA secretariat, which hinders success in implementation of the long term strategy.

He called for an organizational review of the BFA secretariat to align it to modern challenges in football. “Through such a review a new structure will be drawn for the secretariat and all positions will be advertised to attract capable staff.

A competent secretariat would be able to drive noble ideas like commercialization of football and formulate a policy that would guide potential partners,” said Ntwaagae.

He said BFA is the custodian of football business in the country and should be able to protect teams, investors and supporters alike.

Tariq Babitseng

The man who is credited for ushering in the reign of Tebogo Sebego, together with his Friends of Football. Widely considered Sebego’s right hand man and close confidante, Babitseng has served as acting BFA chief executive officer and chairman of first division south.

A corporate strategist and football deal maker, Babitseng’s biggest achievement so far was garnering a lucrative sponsorship for the national first division.

After going for years without a corporate backer, the first division league got a shot in the arm after Babitseng led the BFA negotiation team from the front and snatched a P6million-over-three-years sponsorship from mining giant Debswana.

Once again Babitseng came to the rescue when he negotiated a sponsorship for an Amarok 4x4, valued at over P500 000, for Zebras coach Peter James Butler. He is also well known for his campaign for the youth to take up management positions at their clubs.

Meanwhile Rapula Okaile and Marslow Motlogelwa will compete for the position of vice president-finance, marketing and research while

Moruakgomo Otukile, Suzie Montsho, Olaotse Mmualebe, Patrick Zibochwa and Senki Sesinyi will lock horns in a contest for the two vacant positions of additional members. ENDS