15 Nov 2021

Football sponsors demand accountability, good corporate governance - Letshwiti

Good governance should be at the centre of running football affairs in the country.

Botswana Football Association (BFA) president,  Maclean Letshwiti, said this during the organisation’s general assembly in Maun on Saturday.

He said investors, who put their resources into football, wanted accountability and good corporate governance.
“Sponsors do not negotiate this aspect.

They can only put money if they see that there is accountability and transparency, and above that, a practical vision premised on professionalism.” he said.

Therefore, Letshwiti said, football stakeholders should work as a unit in building a peaceful, but profitable sport.

He said it was through working together that the country would be in a good position to compete with the world, create jobs and have a healthy nation as espoused in the national vision.

On development, Letshwiti said the association was committed to the development of football, hence finding it paramount to work with schools through a systematic programme that inculcated coach education, training and development.

He said all players in the development of football such as referees, teachers, coaches, administrators and volunteers would be fully equipped for the development of talent.

Meanwhile, Letshwiti said the BFA national executive committee was pushing for commercialisation.

“We have done everything it takes to make sure that our clubs move in the right direction.  

The BFL should help us as the regulator in ensuring that this matter is addressed.  

Our clubs need to become ambitious and practical in their operations and outlook,” he said.

The general assembly adopted a motion to construct a mini stadium in Kazungula in the Chobe District.

Nhabe Regional Football Association chairperson, Norman Sebele, welcomed the motion, saying the facility was in line with the mandate of taking sports to the people.

The facility, he said, would promote development of sport in the region.  

He lamented, however, that Nhabe region was struggling to secure a plot.

He said Nhabe deserved another stadium since Maun Sports Complex was not benefiting clubs because it was costly, hence clubs being reluctant to use it.

On other issues such as the number of representatives Botswana Football League (BFL) could bring to the assembly, he said the National Executive Committee (NEC) had admitted its mistakes.

He said it was thus advised to go look into the issues and reach consensus before bringing them to the assembly.

BFA chief executive officer, Goabaone Taylor, stated that the general assembly was a success since members demonstrated professionalism and contributed meaningfully towards the development of football. ENDS