12 Dec 2022

The Central South Regional Football Association (CSRFA) has been commended for its dedication to football development.

Officiating at a three-day annual Thama Under 17 Tournament organised by CSRFA and sponsored by Thabo Sechele of Thama Services in Mahalapye on Saturday, Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, McLean Letshwiti expressed delight that the association managed to drive the initiative with meagre resources.

He said the move was in line with BFA’s aspirations and vision of developing football, adding anywhere in the world, the sport was built from regions.

“We are excited today because people like you in the Central South region have found it prudent to work within the BFA vision without equivocating and I am personally grateful because this is truly what BFA espouses and stands for,” stated Letshwiti.

He encouraged members of the 12 teams that took part in the tournament to take football seriously as it could change their lives for the better.

Letshwiti also urged the CSRFA to ensure they were more organised to lure more investors towards football and their club for sustainable running of their league and clubs.

“Football is like a business. In fact, it is business. The model is the same. You plough in some investment and hope that this investment bears fruit. The fruits do not come overnight. It takes patience, zeal, hope, determination, hours of labour and nurturing the tree that you have planted to bear you fruits,” stated Letshwiti.

He called upon other stakeholders to join hands in the development of football.

“Business needs to play a role in this development agenda. The private sector must take a leaf from other countries in Africa and elsewhere where the involvement of business has really parachuted football to another level,” he added.

He thanked government for making football development possible by making conditions conducive through infrastructure development and policy that appreciated the level of development required for the goal to be achieved.

The 12 teams that participated in the tournament, which began on December 9 to 11, included; Covenant CF, Rolling Guys, Tshikinyega Tigers, K12 Real FC, City Taj, Rangers Queen Park, Mafia Stars, Santa Greens, One Touch, BR Highlanders, Desmo Royals and United Hotspurs. ENDs