19 Sep 2016

Different speakers have hailed former Botswana Football Association (BFA), technical director, Ben Koufie for his contribution to the local sport by setting up robust development structures in the country.

Speaking at a memorial service in Koufie’s honour at Lekidi Centre on September 15, FIFA development officer, Ashford Mamelodi said Koufie did not only change the approach to football in Botswana, but also contributed to its growth.

Koufie who died on July 4 was buried in Ghana on September 17. 

Mamelodi said it was very important for all stakeholders to reflect on how Koufie impacted on Botswana football through grassroot development. 

He said Koufie also came up with a good development plan, which he called grassroots football, adding that the plan was in collaboration with both primary and secondary schools. 

He said Koufie targeted teachers knowing that they dealt with children on a daily basis.

Former Under-23 coach, Major David Bright said when Koufie arrived in Botswana in 2002, he came up with a team called The New Horizon. Also, Major Bright said he made a three-year development plan which at the end produced a lot of coaches in the country. “I remember him telling us that a coach who is decorated is not a good coach. He said a coach is somebody who goes to the field to coach a team. He also used to say a coach could have a C-license, but achieve nothing as a coach,” he said. Major Bright further said Koufie taught coaches to be assertive and resist intimidation from their superiors.

Former Zebras player, Dipsy Selolwane, said Koufie had given both players and administrators the path, which must be cherished and preserved. “I am a seed of Uncle Ben, and I believe at the end I grew into a giant tree. Wherever Uncle Ben is resting, he is a proud man because he came into this country with a vision to develop football and he did that.

Furthermore, he said the first time he saw Koufie furious was when they threatened to strike for their camping allowance whilst they were playing for the Under-20.

Ben, he said, confronted them saying they were ungrateful and they were letting the nation down. ENDS