13 Jun 2023

 

Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) has unveiled dugout moveable benches worth P690 000 at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown.

When unveiling the benches on Monday, Francistown mayor, Godisang Radisigo said the development was an adherence to requirements of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The stadium is among facilities expected to be used should Botswana win the bid to host the African Cup of the Nations in 2027.

The acquisition of the benches is part of the BNSC’s efforts to maintain major facilities.

Radisigo said unveiling of the dugout benches was a welcome development in the second city, which continued to host international games.

 “Our stadium has improved and this means we no longer have to go to Gaborone for games. We can host games here due to new developments.  We are very happy about these developments, but we should also remember the roofing promise that was made to the community,” he said.

He noted that during harsh climatic conditions, few people attended the events at the stadium, hence the need to consider roofing the stadium. Radisigo called for the reduction of stadium rentals, which he said were high.

He promised BNSC that they would take care of the dugout benches and other developments carried out at the stadium recently.

Giving an update on recent developments at the facility, BNSC chief, Tuelo Serufho, stated that P4 million had been disbursed to upgrade the stadium to meet CAF standards.

Such developments, he said, would include media rooms, an area for the disabled community and several other works.

Serufho encouraged schools to utilise the stadium so that it would not turn into a white elephant.

For his part, Francistown Regional Football Association (FRAFA) secretary, Meshack Medupe, pleaded with BNSC to donate old furniture and other equipment to the Francistown Old Stadium that he said was in a poor state.

For his party, Tatitown Customary Court president, Kgotlaetsile Motsamai, commended BNSC for the initiative, noting that it had created jobs for citizen contractors.

“Let me also commend the government for supporting sport development,” he said, adding that BNSC should donate old furniture and equipment to Francistown’s old stadium. ENDS