04 Oct 2020

Botswana Football Association (BFA) has given laptops to southern and western block regions.

Speaking during official handing over of laptops on in Gaborone on Friday, health and wellness minister, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, said he was happy that BFA was playing its part in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic by minimising travels from their regions to Gaborone for meetings and other activities that could be done online.

He highlighted that the ministry was working tirelessly to control the virus and needed all to play their part.

“I believe we are here today to witness BFA’s role in this fight,” he said.

Dr Dikoloti explained that BFA’s efforts would encourage the football community to take the fight against the pandemic seriously.

The laptops, he said, would assist government’s effort of a knowledge based economy, adding that BFA was in the right direction for the fourth industrial revolution.

“We are very proud as a government because this shows that some individuals and organisations understand our vision,” he said.

He indicated that the laptops would benefit the regions immensely, not only for the BFA elections, but also to carry out administrative duties since information would be documented and stored safely.

Dr Dokoloti hailed BFA leadership for the initiative, adding that it would make the new normal possible.

The minister pointed out out that BFA was setting an example for other organisations.

For his part, BFA president, Maclean Letshwiti, said it was necessary for BFA to have invited Dr Dikoloti since sports was about health and wellness.

He pointed out that the world had changed and COVID-19 had not only affected football but all other aspects of life.

Letshwiti further indicated that handing over the laptops to their regions was in support of the health ministry’s call for everyone to take responsibility to control the virus.

“The virus cannot travel from one place to another. It is transported by people, but if we minimise our travelling, this pandemic could be controlled,” he said.

Travelling to Gaborone for meeting by the football community could increase chances of spreading the virus, hence BFA’s move to furnish regions with laptops to reduce movement.

“Representatives of regions will now stop travelling to Gaborone for meetings, online platforms will be employed for such,” stated Letshwiti.

He pointed out that most services would be conducted from regions such as FIFA Connect to register players.

Letshwiti also said the use of laptops would improve information dissemination between regions and BFA and urged recipients to use the gadgets wisely to improve performance in their regions and the organisation. Ends