14 Nov 2019

FIFA consultant Ashford Mamelodi has implored Boteti region teams to embrace good governance in sport.

Mamelodi made the call during a workshop to train Boteti region teams. He told members to structure federations in a manner that would allow for good governance at all levels.

He said federations and clubs must ensure that they were led by people with the right credentials for specific positions.

Mamelodi said members must insist on accountable leadership and management.

He said all federations must have a conflict of interest policy and must rid themselves of defaulting officials.

He noted that challenges in sport ranged from resistance to change to the fact that football was dynamic and changing everyday.

He said federations and clubs should be able to manage risks, adding that there were unclear definitions of roles within organisations, citing multi-tasking. “If you multi-task it leads to poor governance and that has killed our football,” he said.

He said it was crucial to exercise control over an organisation by identifying and complying with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

Mamelodi highlighted the need for appropriate internal financial and management controls.

“African football has a challenge, as some people see it as an opportunity to make money,” he lamented. He added that it was common to see people operating as friends in African football, and that it impacted negatively on teams.

He also said clubs were important and that it was crucial for them to grow so that they could challenge the leadership.

Mamelodi further called on clubs to be transparent and accountable, cautioning them against using the money on traditional doctors as there was no how they could account for the funds used because they did not have receipts.

He said clubs should also identify those who had a legitimate interest in the work of the team and ensuring that there was regular and effective communication with them about the organisation.

He implored clubs to respond to stakeholders’ questions or views about the organisations’ work and how it was operated.

He also stated that it was essential to behave with integrity as well as to protect and promote the organisations’ reputation.

Mamelodi also said he was impressed with the Boteti region, as they had been able to acquire sponsorship, but noted that a lot of work needed to be done to enhance management of clubs.

One of the clubs representative, Galekgatlhege Robert called for the orientation of committee members once they were elected to positions.

Leano Marumo, the Boteti region chairperson, said it was critical for committee members to set themselves targets and leave the position if they failed to meet the target.

He appreciated sponsorship from Lucara Botswana, saying all their referees were being paid while all the teams have kits. ENDS