12 Aug 2025

The newly-promoted Botswana Premier League side, Black Lions, have vowed to extend the club’s impact beyond the confines of the football pitch.

Speaking at the official launch in Gaborone on August 12, the club’s president Tendani Sebata, underscored a philosophy that placed community at the heart of their mission.

“Football thrives where the community thrives. Our presence in the elite league will not only be felt in the football pitch, but also by the community we live within,” he stated, emphasising that their success was linked to the prosperity of its supporters.

“We will use the club’s platform to make a tangible difference in the lives of our fans and the community. This is why Black Lions will also commit to Corporate Social Responsibility projects in the Kweneng Region and Tlokweng, our new home,” he said.

Such commitment to social responsibility promises a fresh, community-centric approach to the professional game, setting a precedent for what a football club can and should represent in the local game.

He said the Black Lions were therefore actively working on identifying impactful community initiatives and collaborating with local communities and would continue to listen, engage and act where they were needed most.

He also indicated that player safety and welfare would remain their top priority, given that a football career was short and often cut even shorter by injuries or unpredictable circumstances.

“Many a times, we see our players shine at the peak only to struggle post-retirement due to lack of planning and support,” he said.

Sebata further indicated that as part of his personal legacy in Botswana, he would introduce a Trust Fund for athletes. 

“This financial and mentorship initiative is designed to help players prepare for life after football.”

He added that it was common knowledge that many players did not prioritise saving for their future, which led to financial hardship after retirement.

“What joy it would bring to see the exact opposite scenario, where instead of investing in depreciating assets, our players invest in more life-enhancing projects that include investment funds, property, and others,” he said.

Thus, he challenged other Botswana Premier League clubs to follow suit, so that together they would create a system that left no athlete behind.

“Let us build a structure where athletes are not only stars on the field but become secure and empowered beyond the game. To me, this would be the true meaning of ‘Fair Play’,” he said.

BFL interim chairperson, Sipho Showa, confirmed that the Black Lions were joining the elite after acquiring the VTM FC status.

Showa said the BFL looked forward to a constructive relationship with Black Lions, adding, “however, in my experience, such a relationship can be greatly assisted if we all have a clear understanding of and respect for the BFL, BFA and FIFA governance frameworks.”

He encouraged the Black Lions to familiarise themselves with all the league documents, including the new betting policy.

“Let me highlight that the Betting Policy which we have just introduced, applies to everyone involved in football, from the players and managers to the match officials, club staff, administrators and BFL board members,” he said.

He said he was confident that the policy would also help protect the integrity of Botswana football by preventing activities like match-fixing, among others.

“I can assure everyone here that the BFL is going to be vigilant against such bad practices and appropriate action will be taken against perpetrators,” he said.

Consequently, Showa thanked the Black Lions leadership for considering the BFL as an entity they could invest in. ENDS