29 May 2016

Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Tebogo Sebego has applauded the outgoing First Division North (FDN) committee and team delegates for their spirit of volunteerism.

Addressing the league’s assembly on May 27, Sebego applauded all for showing commitment even in trying times despite lack of remuneration.

Sebego commended the committee and other volunteers for overcoming the negative criticism they are often subjected to, noting that their volunteerism was demonstration of the love of football and the desire to see it developing.
“Football is about creating opportunity for our children as not all of them are gifted academically and I commend you for your efforts despite the challenges you face,” he said.

He said development of football was about employment creation for the players, entertainment and even tourism.

“Football unites people. Where there is hatred and tension, then it is something else not football,” he said.

Regarding the first division, Sebego noted that, that was where a lot of effort and responsibility was needed as it is where the cream of the country’s football comes from and a breeding ground for players and teams to play in the higher league.
He urged members to change their mindset regarding their working relationship with sponsors and continuously attract sponsors.

Sebego called on teams to prepare for licensing as it was a Federation Internationale Football de Associations (FIFA) requirement.

He said some requirements of licensing teams are that the team should have a general manager, contractual agreements with stadiums and having players’ contracts, amongst others, expressing fear that some teams might not have all requirements to be licensed.

Sebego said one of the biggest challenges in football in Africa was management of transfer of players.He however said as part of addressing the problem, BFA has trained some teams on transfer management system.

On the Debswana sponsorship for first division, the BFA president expressed hope that the sponsorship will be renewed as Debswana has indicated its commitment to the development of football in the country.

He called on the teams to always ensure their differences with the committees were dealt with amicably and internally. The outgoing FDN chairperson, Eatametse Olopeng thanked the outgoing committee for volunteering their time, expertise and other resources to run the league.

Olopeng observed there was a gap between the first division and premier league in terms of resources but remained optimistic the gap will be closed in future.
He thanked Debswana for sponsoring the league but lamented lack of gear such as tracksuits for the committee.

Olopeng, who told the assembly that he will not seek re-election, thanked the teams for supporting his committee, adding that through the support, they managed to overcome a lot of challenges.

He called on the teams and the incoming committee to soldier on despite all the challenges, noting in football, there were a lot of challenges and it was only through unity and support from everybody that they can be overcome.
Olopeng said he was leaving the office a happy man because even if he did not achieve all, through the support and unity of his committee a lot has been attained. Ends