30 Jan 2024

Upcoming coaches have been implored to prioritise junior structures and to coach at the grassroots level as part of their agenda.

Opening a five-day CAF D licence coaching clinic organised by the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture in partnership with Botswana Football Association, Moshupa District Council chairperson, Sonny Phiri said the standard of football in the country had deteriorated and there was need to focus on a restructuring exercise that could improve the quality of football in the country.

About 36 aspiring and upcoming coaches in the southern region took part in the clinic.

He said player development was needed to improve football in the country, and advised them against acquiring multiple roles in their teams as that would hinder them from performing to the best of their ability, adding that they should utilise the technical knowledge they acquired from the workshop to nurture young players.

Phiri also advised them not to focus on making money, but to rather start small and grow with time, adding that they should concentrate more on improving the professionalism that was needed for them to perform their duties effectively.

“It is only by maintaining disciple and talent that can take you to greater heights,” he said.

As a former football coach, Phiri said he was aware of the challenges that coaches faced and urged them to be selfless and focused as well as to conduct their duties with the respect that it deserved.

For his part, the ministry’s Southern District coordinator, Moeti Godisamang said they had been given the mandate to develop sport through capacity building of technical officials.

He said capacitating technical officials and providing a supportive environment would ultimately improve talent development and overall performance in the district.

He said the country was lagging behind in sports development and that it was only though their hard work that the quality of football could improve.

He said trainees were drawn from areas such as Kanye, Lobatse, Jwaneng Good Hope, Mabutsane and Moshupa.

The ministry’s principal programmes officer, Othusitse Tshwaedi advised the trainees that they would gain knowledge that could that could take them to a better future.

He also urged them to engage their respective leaders to establish where they could contribute more effectively in spotting and grooming talent, adding that they should refrain from drugs and alcohol in order to succeed in sport. ENDS