17 Nov 2016

Botswana Football Association (BFA) has launched a youth development programme.

Speaking at the programme launch in Gaborone on November 16, Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng, said football spent a lot of money in competitions rather that development.

“There is so much money that goes into the national team rather than development,” he said, adding that it was now paramount to put more emphasis on development.

Reikeletseng said out of 42 sport codes, government injected more money into football, adding some codes questioned why football was given a lot of money yet results were not coming forth.

 Reikeletseng said programmes such as Re Ba bona ha, Centre of Excellence and constituency tournaments were geared towards youth development and engagement of people

“Because we have debated about this government programmes for quite some time, so today my question to you as BFA leadership is that are you in or out?  It is very important to know, because when we talk behind closed doors we are informed that BFA is very interested in those programmes, but I think we need a pronouncement that is followed by action, “he said.

In other issues, Reikeletseng said the mission of BNSC’s Vision 2028 was to ensure that the chunk of employment sector was from sport, given that the biggest contributor to the economy was sport,

He said sport was able to accelerate development and hosting major games could help the country to create employment, improve infrastructure and resources.

For his part, BFA president, MacLean Letshwiti said his organisation was commitment to enhancing the standard of football in the country.

The development project, he said, would  be connecting all children in the country, adding that without a solid development structure, football would not move forward.

He said winning nations at the international competition had over time invested in grass roots development.

Letshwiti further announced that BFA National Executive Committee had approved the budget, which had objectives to guide, coordinate and integrate   initiatives in order to transform Botswana football into a globally competitive knowledge through effective development programme.

He said the project mandate was meant to, amongst others, create a pool of well-developed football players, increase the chances of Botswana to qualify for major competitions and provide alternative employment opportunities through football as well as play a role on the national agenda.

The BFA president further said the programme would bring about youth leagues that would be played in all BFA 17 regions.
A total of 25 500 children would take part. BOPA