18 Jun 2020

Tsabong Regional Football Association, with the support of Botswana Football Association (BFA), has donated 21 food hampers to players hardest hit by the effects of COVID-19. Speaking during the donation ceremony in Tsabong on Tuesday, Tsabong Regional Football Association chairperson, Keleeme Bahakgametse said it was critical to assist players as they were hardest hit by the effects of COVID-19. He noted that most of them were unemployed, and that most played in the second division which was financially less rewarding.

Bahakgametse added that like other sectors of the economy, football had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and that it was critical to ease the effects on players. He said the association held in high regard the welfare of players hence the donation.

The BFA contributed P3 600 to cover the costs of the 21 food hampers which were donated to six Tsabong Regional Football Association clubs affiliated to the association such as Black Rangers, King, Young Tigers, Tsabong Kicks, Desert Nxau and Young Boys Football Club.

The clubs submitted three names of their members who were hardest hit by the pandemic. Bahakgametse said more players needed to be assisted, but that due to resource constraints not all of them could be assisted, adding that the association would strive to source more donations from other stakeholders.

For his part, a representative from the office of Kgalagadi South Member of Parliament, Fredrick Cooper appreciated the donation, saying it would assist the youth of the constituency and give them hope and assurance that their plight was being noticed.

He commended the association for extending a helping hand to players and encouraged them to device strategies to minimise the effects of COVID-19 on players, the technical support and administratord of teams.

Tsabong deputy chief, Richard Toto also praised the donation, saying it would go a long way in assisting players to deal with the effects of COVID-19. 

He encouraged all to continue to adhere to the health protocols in order to curb the spread of coronavirus and have hope that one day they would be back on the field playing before supporters. ends