28 Jul 2014

Tariq Babitseng is the new Botswana Football Association (BFA) vice president-administration.

Babitseng, who takes over from Boyce Sebetlela, won a closely contested position by garnering 54 votes against Segolame Ramotlhwa's 51 while Leviet Ntwaagae was voted by four delegates.

For the vice president-finance, marketing and research, Marslow Motlogelwa was un-oppossed after Rapula Okaile withdrew his candidacy on the eleventh hour citing work commitment as an impediment. For the additional members, Suzie Montsho and Senki Sesinyi were elected after being voted by 70 and 50 people respectively.

Their competitors, Moruakgomo Otukile garnered 45 votes, Patrick Zibochwa was voted by 37 delegates, while no one voted for Olaotse Mmualebe. Babitsengsaid in an interview after the elections that as a servant of football, he was prepared to deliver, so as to take Botswana football to greater heights.

He said he was happy because delegates had shown confidence in him, by voting him to a challenging and demanding position, promising that he would not disappoint.

The former acting BFA chief executive officer further said his job was going to be easier, given that all along he was part of the NEC, therefore he would continue where he had left off, adding that BFA had a strategy that they would have to implement as soon as possible.

Babitseng said the strategy that was cascaded from Botswana National Sport Council would improve the running of football in the country.

For his part, BFA president, Tebogo Sebego said all those who lost should be visible to football, given that they remained a resource that football could make use of. Sebego said since elections were over, it was essential for all to put football first.  ENDS