BFA in CEO headache
Sport
Botswana Football Association (BFA) is said to be in pains after their ideal replacement for suspended CEO, Kitso Kemoeng, reportedly rejected the offer, opting for greener pastures elsewhere.
The Letshwiti led Association is trying to cut ties completely with Kemoeng in a peaceful manner and during the transition usher in a new CEO. Unfortunately for them, the individual who was earmarked to take over the reins from Kemoeng allegedly turned them down and this has taken the association steps back. While BFA has not revealed the names of the individual, sources have said that Bishy Butale is their wanted man as he is reportedly more competent than Kemoeng.
Butale is a former employee of rebranded Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC), a local popular network company that now powers the elite Botswana Premier League (BPL). He was employed as finance manager. It is not clear whether the association had already told Butale about their interest in him, but what is now obvious is the fact that the association’s ‘dream man’ is beyond reach. It is said Butale is now in the payroll of Orange Botswana, another network giant that also had previous ties with BFA. Orange is the former Senior National Team sponsor.
Butale once showed unwavering interest in working with BFA in the past. In August 2011, the former BTC employee applied for the same post of CEO. He ran the competition race with, among others, Bennett Mamelodi who later became BPL CEO, Thabo Ntshinogang, Leviet Ntwaagae and Segolame Ramotlhwa. While it was widely reported that Butale was among the favourites, less talked about Duncan Kgame was ultimately chosen ahead of him.
‘‘Bishy Butale is also reported to be eyeing the post,’’ a source revealed then. At the time, the finance executive at BTC was credited for piloting BTC towards the league in good financial standing. ‘‘He has a strong back-ground on finances. He grew on the game as he was capped at junior teams. He is young and energetic, and is seen as a financial and marketable strategist. He is an established accountant with a degree in B.Com and understands football well, he is the reason why Happy Hearts was established,’’ reads some of his credentials.
BFA now has to start the headhunting process from scratch as it seems that Butale is beyond reach for them. Sources have revealed to this publication that talks have begun for the BFA to start looking outside, but some football soldiers are against the idea. Almost all National Executive Committee (NEC) members shy away from discussing the issue of the CEO. They say it is wrong for them to start talking about the next head of secretariat while the incumbent CEO is rightly or wrongly still tied with the association. Newly employed BFA Public Relations Officer (PRO), Tumo Mpatane relayed WeekendSport’s enquiry regarding the issue to acting BFA CEO, Susan Lawrence.
‘‘I do not think it is wise to talk about the matter more so that there is an issue to do with Kemoeng, but if you want more clarity talk to the acting CEO,’’ he said. Meanwhile Kemoeng was hauled before BFA’s disciplinary committee on Thursday this week, where he defended himself against accusations of office abuse levelled against him and consequently defended his job. By press time, WeekendSport had learnt that Kemoeng had armed up and was fighting back. He reportedly requested the Association in writing, to furnish him with credentials of the investigators handling his case.
Sport
Orange injects P350 000 into Phikwe marathon
Mobile network Orange Botswana is committed to supporting the development of local sport. Through its sponsorship, the company will be able to promote and market the sport. According to Maano Masisi, the company believes that sport can unite people from different backgrounds.
He stated that through the sponsorship of the marathon, the company will help promote healthy lifestyles and unity among the people of Selebi Phikwe.
The Selebi Phikwe Marathon is scheduled to take place on July 29, 2023. It is expected that it will attract international, regional, and social runners. A total of P216 000 has been allocated for the prize money for the first ten places in the 42.2 km race. For the 15km and 10km races, the LOC will give away prizes to the first five places.
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.”