23 Aug 2022

A total of 20 coaches from different regions have completed an intermediate course (B licence).

The 24-day training was organised by Nhabe Regional Football Association (NRFA) in collaboration with Botswana Football Association (BFA) in Maun.

The intention was to equip coaches with qualifications that would advance them in their profession.

Closing the training in Maun on Monday, BFA instructor, Dr Ricardo Marape said the training intended to inject more professionalism into the art of coaching and implored coaches to put the knowledge to good use and change the image of football in their regions and ultimately progress to A licence.

“You are lucky to be the second group in the country to acquire the qualification. People expect you to work as coaches not administrators. Your duty is to coach and be role models on and off the playing fields,” stated Dr Marape.

The course came in three modules with each lasting eight days. It also incorporated practicals.

Dr Marape appreciated the participants’ zeal to learn and also acknowledged support from Nhabe regional committee.

BFA head of coach-education, Moffat Ramasotla, explained that upon completion, CAF would send officials to come and assess if the desired level had been reached.

He advised coaches to steer clear of management politics as that could derail them.

He said their focus should be on developing football through unearthing and nurturing talent from grass roots level.

Coaches were advised to take advantage of sport development programmes as Re Ba Bona Ha to identify and groom future stars in different sporting disciplines.

Ramasotla further urged coaches to work as a team and solve challenges they encountered.

He said they should be abreast of sport developments since sport was evolving.

A participant, Mohutsana Bagotso appreciated the course saying ‘we have learnt that coaching is scientific. We also learnt the basics and key components of coaching as tactical, technical, physical and psychological and we promise to implement the knowledge we gained from the training.’

NRFA chairperson, Norman Sebele said they were hopeful that all participates would pass and awarded B licences.

He said coaches were turned into jack of all traits in their clubs and believed that they would now focus on their role and leave other tasks to relevant departments.

Sebele said as a region, they desired to see clubs excelling and joining bigger leagues. ENDS