11 Sep 2024

Veteran football administrator, Ashford Mamelodi yesterday presented President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi with a copy of his book.

The book titled, Protecting the Game, was launched in March this year.  

President Masisi promised to read the book after the general election when less busy. 

He also described Mamelodi, whom he said was his senior at primary school, as a fast and marvelous player.

When presenting the book, Mamelodi said it captured his 10 years at the Botswana Football Association (BFA) as the  secretary general.

“I just felt that after that period we need to document these things so that those that come after us can learn from our mistakes and successes," said Mamelodi.

He said that the book actually came 20 years since he left the association in 2000.

“This is due to the fact that a lot of things happened in between, like my engagement at FIFA and COSAFA, but I finally got some time after retirement to put it together,” he said.

Mamelodi promised to pen another book that would focus on other areas including the bid. “The story on the bid is also worth telling,” he said.

The 200-page book captures the transformation that the seasoned administrator oversaw including introduction of organised football in areas such as Kgalagadi and Nhabe, where it was initially non-existent.

Dumba, as he is fondly known in football circles, also oversaw the introduction of structured football development and commencement of participation in international competitions.

In the foreword, he said that the book chronicled among others, his tumultuous relationship with the media and the sometimes perceived maladministration of the BFA as well as the unsavoury relations between referees, players and administrators. Ends