14 Jun 2020

Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Maclean Letshwiti says as other organisations, their programmes have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Briefing the press in Gaborone June 13, Letshwiti said the women’s Under-17, Under-20 and senior women national team have been affected as their  international competitions were halted due to COVID-19.

“Just as the association was trying to make a mark in the international front, COVID-19 stopped everything,” he said.He said the BTC sponsored league was left with 80 games to wrap up the season, Debswana First Division League with 48 games while the Orange FA Cup was at the quarter-finals stage.

Letshwiti said prior to the disruption the association had intensified efforts on coaching and referees courses.

He noted that their programmes for schools were also affected, adding that the association had more than six months talks with FIFA and government about initiating the programme.

Letshwiti said the outbreak was a blow as it occurred when they were about to implement the programme in schools after  sealing a deal with FIFA.

On other issues, Letshwiti said they had an understanding with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture  Development for alcohol to be permitted in stadiums and ultimately sponsor some football activities The associations sport medicine doctor, Lone Bogwasi said they had advised the BFA that it would be risky to resume the league because coronavirus was still a threat.

He said for the BFA to resume the league, COVID-19 protocols would have to be satisfied. Bogwasi said resumption would subject players to continuous testing because football was a contact sport. ENDS