26 Sep 2024

Botswana Football League (BFL) has chosen Emolemo Kesitilwe as its chairperson after he was endorsed by 13 delegates at the general assembly held on Wednesday.

Kesitilwe, Daniel Tau and Carlos Sebina had submitted expressions of interest to lead the organisation, but Tau was endorsed by only four delegates while Sebina did not have an endorsement.

For the BFL director, Sipho Showa was endorsed by 13 delegates, Billy Sekgororoane two, while Rapula Okaile did not have an endorsement.

The new board members are Tirelo Thebe of Sua Flamingoes, Tumelo Toteng from Tafic, Goitsemodimo Tsietsano of Jwaneng Galaxy and Nelson Gabofiwe of BDF XI.

Appreciating his appointment, Kesitilwe said football had a unique and unmatched power to unite people from all walks of life, transcending barriers of language, race and background.

“In Botswana, just as elsewhere, football is more than just a game. It is a way of life, an integral part of our national identity, and a key element of community-building across the country,” he said.

Kesitilwe said taking the chairmanship role came with immense responsibility, adding that football in Botswana was at a pivotal moment where leaders could build on the foundations laid by their predecessors and steer the elite institution towards even greater success.

“The Premier League is the pinnacle of our football pyramid and it holds the promise of inspiring players and fans alike,” he said.

Furthermore, he said the leadership’s vision must be to elevate the Botswana Premier League to new heights, where it would compete not only regionally, but also on the global stage.

This, he said, would require commitment, passion, and a shared ambition to push the boundaries of what is possible for league clubs.

He said to achieve such, it was critical for the premier league community to tackle some key areas, amongst them development of talent.

Also, he said the premier league must serve as the highest platform for best talent, both in terms of players and coaching staff, adding that they must recreate and enhance robust youth development programmes, coaching structures, and infrastructure to ensure that the talent pipeline remained strong and capable of producing the next generation of football stars.

He said for the premier league to thrive, it must be financially sound, adding that with the right team and support, his experience in financial and strategic leadership would be the key to exploring innovative revenue streams, securing sponsorship deals, and building partnerships that would ensure the league›s long-term viability and prosperity.

He said football was nothing without its fans, and the premier league must remain the heartbeat of football fandom in Botswana.

“We will work to ensure that stadiums are filled, and that the passion of the game is felt throughout the country. I am committed to fostering deeper connections between clubs, players, and the communities they represent, thus ensuring the premier league remains the sport of the people,” he said.

Kesitilwe said as a chairperson, he would uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency and fairness.

“Just like in any top-tier league, football in the premier league must be a sport where merit reigns supreme, and where players, coaches, and officials conducted themselves with respect and professionalism both on and off the pitch,” he said. ENDS