18 Apr 2023

Women in football have been urged to be steadfast and vigorous in pursuit of their vision.

Addressing a workshop for women in football in Gaborone on Monday, the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) chairperson, Marumo Morule, said women must also focus on the overall growth of football in country.

Therefore, he urged them to change the gear in order to progress in football.

Morule highlighted that football had evolved, changing both the business landscape and household economies.

He said players were now earning a living from football, adding that some had become millionaires in other parts of the world.

As a result, Morule urged women in football not to be despondent in what they were doing.

“We must never think the objective is impossible,” he said adding that challenges encountered along the way were possible to overcome.

He said efforts were being made to commercialise football in Botswana.

He further acknowledged the good gesture by UEFA to capacitate women football in Botswana.  “While we seek to thrive on the pitch, we must equally empower those who run football,” he said.

UEFA, Morule said, saw the need to help close the gap in administration, adding that the gap between women and men in all spheres was disheartening.

Moreover, he commended UEFA for working together with Botswana women football to build a strong women brigade that could makethe country proud.

For her part, the football association head of international relations, Jane Bateman, said she had noticed positives in the development of women in football in the country.  As such Bateman said it was important to identify huddles, find best possible solutions to overcome them and create opportunities for women in football.

She emphasised that women could make a difference in their lives through the sport.

BFA chief executive officer, Mfolo Mfolo, said the association intended to upscale women in football.   Therefore, he said all football governing structures must work together to grow women football in Africa.

In relation to women football development in the country, Mfolo said women football had in the 2021-2022 season registered 66 teams.

He said the number had since increased to 136 teams in 2022-2023. ENDS