21 Mar 2021

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development has described Ismail Bhamjee as a true sporting icon whose legacy speaks volumes.

Speaking Thursday afternoon during a memorial service fo former Botswana Football Association (BFA) and COSAFA)president, Minister Rakgare said Bhamjee left an indelible mark in the hearts of all who were in the sporting fraternity.

“May we be comforted that Mr Bhamjee’s legacy speaks for itself in that he was inducted in the Botswana Sport Hall of Fame in 2014.  Let us celebrate his life and ensure that his teachings and structures continue to inspire all of us in sport to do more for our country,” he said.

Mr Rakgare said Bhamjee’s name resonated with sport and many would attest to the fact that he was instrum  ental in shaping the development of sport in Botswana and the region.

Bhamjee also served in different structures of the BFA for 14 years and served two terms at the helm as president between 1991 and 2000,” he said.

Minister Rakgare said Mr Bhamjee served as president of COSAFA and as a member of the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from 1988 to 2006.

He said he also served as a member of the FIFA executive committee from 1998 to 2006.

The minister said in the Olympic movement, Bhamjee served Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) as secretary general from 1979 to 1988 and treasurer of Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) from 1989 to 2001.

He said among his many awards, Bhamjee received the Presidential Order of Meritorious Service award, Presidential Order of Honour and the National Olympic Committee Gold award in 1986.

He said he received the International Olympic Order for Outstanding Services to the Olympic Movement in Southern Africa in 2006.

A friend and colleague, Ashford Mamelodi told mourners that Bhamjee led the BFA with aplomb.

He said it was under his leadership that a full time secretariat was established in 1993.

He said it was also under his leadership that Ghanaian Benn Koufie was engaged as Botswana first technical director.

Mamelodi said after all the contributions that Bhamjee made to sport in particular football he was to end his work for football a man deeply hurt.

“Two particular reason come to mind. During the FIFA World Cup 2006 in German after being led into a trap by some English journalist the ever kind Ismail, innocent as he had done so many times during his life in football tried to help.

As planned the matter blew up and he was accused of being a fraudster illegally selling a few world cup tickets,” he said.

Mamelodi said instead of coming home to some peace of mind from the damaging international media Bhamjee found sections of local football personalities and some media hell-bent on stoking the fire.

He said the second act that was to cause Bhamjee a lot of pain was when BFA stripped him off his status as its honorary president.

COSAFA secretary general, Sue Destombes, said Bhamjee was instrumental in organising tournaments for the regional football governing body.

BFA president, Maclean Letshwiti said it would be difficult to fill the void left by a man of Bhamjee’s stature.

He said death had robbed the world of a true soldier who never quit against all odds.

His grandson Ismail Bhamjee described his grandfather as a role model and a shining example.

He said he had a huge heart and was obsessed with football. ENDS