Letshwiti warns Tshekedi
Sport
Botswana Football Association (BFA) president Mac Lean Letshwiti, although cagey and modest, has dismissed recurring talks that the association he leads is bleeding from blatant disregard of laid down procedures and maladministration.
The dialogues came to the fore weeks after Minister of Youth Empowerment Sport and Culture Development, Tshekedi Khama summoned BFA leadership to his office over reported back log cases of malpractice and unaccountability. In an interview with WeekendSport, Letshwiti however acknowledged the courtesy call that Minister Tshekedi has made over the weeks to check if there are no governance loose ends at the association. He is, nevertheless, quick to warn that the Minister should be careful not to risk FIFA wrath as government can be deemed to be interfering in the daily running of football.
FIFA is world football governing organization that calls for independence of football federations. Contrary to the Minister’s highly held view, Letshwiti says the association exhausts and follows procedures to the latter when hiring and firing. He is of the view that his leadership cannot hire personnel basing on friendship.
He argues that everything else that is of high regard has to compete. “The fact that a company is owned by locals does not necessarily mean they automatically qualify for advertised posts.” Letshwiti made reference to the issue that his association is always looking outside when searching for services.
“The process of hiring external individuals followed due process. As you are fully aware, global brands have always engaged external members who are believed to be of value to the organizations. Tendering is there in all aspects of the organization and BFA has followed them,” he said. Letshwiti further acknowledges that part of the funding is from the government and as such transparency is needed from BFA.
When asked about interference from the government, Letshwiti said, “Interference will become an issue once the government becomes involved in the day to day running of the association.” Letshwiti indicated that, “we cannot have the government forcing the BFA to employ their preferred candidates. The lanes are clearly demarcated. Many other countries stand as an example of the dire consequences of the government interference; we cannot allow it to happen in our country as it will be of a great injustice to football.”
When answering a question about the Minister‘s comments on the national team coach advert, Letshwiti observed that “the national team coach must be of the highest caliber to take the team forward in the way we believe it must go. As you are aware, the CAF/ UEFA Pro License is the highest qualification as a coach in Africa and please be informed that CAF are currently implementing the license as we speak.” Letshiwi however refused out rightly to comment on the public back lash and criticism the association has received from Tshekedi.
“I cannot address the minister’s comments through the media as it will be very unethical. Our meetings together are private and confidential until we both agree to divulge information to the public,” he said. Letshwiti was also cagey when asked about his interest to re run for the BFA presidency. He said the decision will be made by people basing on his administration. “Whether I seek re-election or not will be decided by the people. The BFA regions know what they want and are better placed to answer that question. The state of Botswana football is clear for everyone to see,” he observed.
Sport
Big Guns for Botswana Grand Prix
The National Stadium will be lit up with fireworks on April 29, 2023, as some of the best international athletes will participate in the maiden Botswana Grand prix.
This content is locked
Login To Unlock The Content!
Sport
AFRICA’S RECOVERY: Sports as game changer
The year 2022 witnessed unprecedented phenomena. Several Africans- Gotytom Gebreslase, Sharon Lokedi, Victor Kiplangat, Tamarit Tola and many others- swept the World’s marathons records.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting control measures implemented in several countries, led to many high-level sports competitions being cancelled or shelved, the Dakar 2022 Youth Olympic Games was moved to 2026.
Founder and Executive Chairman, African Sports and Creative Institute, Will Mabiakop, says the inability to hold traditional and amateur sports events have had a serious effect on public health overall, including mental health, sparking a revolution whereby athletes began to talk more openly about stress, mental overload and performance anxiety.
“Africa is home to the fastest growing economies before the crisis, no longer on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). COVID-19 deepened interdependence between SDGs, making them harder to achieve, especially SDG 10 (reducing inequality) and SDG 5 (gender equality_ as the pandemic had a disproportionate impact on poorer countries, and heavier burdens (such as care work) fell to women.”
Mabiakop stresses that as policymakers contemplate actions to speed up recovery and build resilience, they must argue that sports and creative businesses should play a central feature in this effort.
“The sports economy worldwide is estimated at 5% of GDP, but only 0.5% in Africa. If exploited, Africa’s sports and creative industries can offer policymakers innovative solutions. Especially, as regards job creation, and providing employment to the 15 million people entering the job market annually.”
HOW CAN THE INDUSTRY DO THIS?
By leveraging the two-for-one concept: past studies shown that a 1% growth in the economy delivers a 2% job increment in this sector (these ratios are calculated using data from 48 African countries and adjusted to the reality of the sports economy in Africa by the authors). There are between 30 and 50 job types, in sports and creative industries, respectively. These jobs do not fade away with the first major shock.
Mabiakop indicated that policymakers can use these industries to tackle multiple crises- jobs, poverty, and climate risks. Sports diplomacy- defined as communication, representation and negotiation in or through the prism of sports- has proven effective in building inclusive and cohesive societies. Moreover, sports and the creative industry can support better mental health and well-being, both important for productivity.
“Policymakers can also be true to the game by leveraging culture and tradition to celebrate identity and reap commercial value in sports, textiles and jewelry. Creative sectors allow deeper connection with culture, are not easily copied and provide great economic potential.”
He said supporting grassroots sports has powerful distributional effects. “Fortunately, technology has made reaching wide audiences easier, generating higher rates of success when talent is discovered.”
However, Mabiakop held that potential pitfalls must be highlighted. “First avoid build it and they will come policies with infrastructures denuded from the rest of the ecosystem. Like the many sports stadiums left largely unused.”
“Policymakers must remain mindful of how these sectors move the needle in human capital development. Also, align the requisite public policies needed for progress from grassroots participation to professional sports, and even to international sporting events. They should also support investment instruments to render these sectors performant.”
Sport
BFA to pay Taylor P330 000
Botswana Football Association (BFA) has been ordered to pay its former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Goabaone Taylor over P330 000 as a compensation for her unfair dismissal last year February.
This content is locked
Login To Unlock The Content!