07 Jul 2022

Nhabe Regional Football Association is drilling 21 coaches in an intermediate course (B license) to enhance their coaching knowledge and ability.

The Maun-held training is the second to be conducted in Botswana.

Speaking during official opening of the training, technical officer from Botswana Football Association (BFA), Dr Ricardo Marape said the association had programmes meant to develop  football.

He said BFA had a programme geared at empowering and developing coaches in its 17 regions.

Dr Marape appreciated Nhabe region for identifying their need.

He said it was important for coaches to acquire qualifications to progress in their coaching journey.

He said Confederation of African Football (CAF) Coaching Convention had raised standards for coaches such as having appropriate coaching licenses, adding the BFA B license was equivalent to CAF’s B license.

He said CAF wanted to professionalise coaching so that  coaches could gain consideration in the football ecosystem.

Dr Marape said the training was in line with the club licensing system.

Nhabe Women Football chairperson, Dorcas Setlhoko, urged participants to take the training seriously as it would take them to greater heights.

Coaching, she said, required particular set of skills in order to bring the best results, adding coaching qualification was a must if they wanted to turn their dreams o into a reality.

 “You are lucky to be empowered as nowadays football needs professional coaches who are knowledgeable in football related issues and eager to help players reach their full potential. Coaches who can help people develop and achieve their goals,” she added.

Setlhoko described a coach as a well-rounded person expected to lead, motivate, advice, teach, counsel and provide guidance for players in life and in their sporting career.

 Participants were also urged to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner and love their job as coaching was rewarding.

At the end of the training, Setlhoko urged coaches to create powerful teams from the grassroots level.

She also expressed concern that men were dominating into the art of coaching and urged women to come forth and participate in sports.

“I don’t want to see men coaching women football teams because I believe women are equally capable to coach,” she said.

Nhabe Regional Grassroots Development Officer, Tobokani King thanked local coaches for attending the course noting that as a region, they were eager to see them learning, acquiring appropriate licenses, reaching high professional standards and also being able to coach at various levels of football.

He said football was evolving and moving fast hence it was critical that they run at the same pace.

 “Such courses do not come easily and we should appreciate that BFA is taking them seriously and we believe you will utilize the teachings and grow football,” he added.

King further urged participants to love what they do, be inspired to grow in football and be seen as competitors in the market. ENDS