BPL, FUB agree on new match times
Sport
Footballers Union Botswana (FUB) has succeeded in convincing Botswana Premier league to consider altering match kick off times from 1500hrs to 1530hrs/1600hrs in consideration of players’ health- this comes on the back of some games having been delayed due to the unforgiving heat wave that recently engulfed the country.
The Union, which speaks for the overall welfare of players, believes that such adverse conditions are likely to affect the well being of players and of course the rhythm of the game. In a strong worded letter, FUB called on the BPL to put the health of the players first.
“FUB implores the BFA to take more suitable and effective measures to guarantee the health and safety of the football players.
The heat, especially during the matches played at 15:30 hours in various venues is a major concern for FUB. The players are subjected to irrational health risks if no supplementary measures are taken by the football authority, while their performances might be significantly compromised,” wrote Kgosana Masaseng, the Secretary General of the union.
In response the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Premier League, Thabo Styles Ntshinogang, acknowledged receipt of such communication, saying they have swiftly acted and altered kick off time.
“We have received the letter from the union, though it was addressed to the BFA CEO, and we have already met to change the times owing to the heat wave. The afternoon games have all been moved to 1600hrs,’’ acknowledged Ntshinogang.
Furthermore, there is an agreement that there shall be a 5 minutes water break to enable players to cool off from the scotching heat.
Meanwhile, FUB says it is happy with the progress they have made since their formation about two years ago. The union has made a number of presentations at congresses about the state of football affairs in the country, the progress to date and the challenges faced by the players in Botswana. It is common knowledge that football in Botswana is played at an amateur level although there are professional players (players with professional contracts) who ply their trade in it.
In 2008, Botswana Football Association (BFA) took a decision that players who ply their trade in the elite league should all have professional contracts by the beginning of the 2009/2010 season. Regrettably, this is not the situation on the ground as only about 70% of the players have contracts. Notwithstanding this omission on the part of teams and players, progress is evident in the concept of contractual stability and respect for player and club contracts, the union has conceded.
However, the only stumbling block has been created by the absence of a body within the structure which enforces contracts entered into between clubs and players. To this end, the union feels that clubs tend to abuse these contracts when facts are in their favour and as such players have to run to the former for assistance and the union’s only point of reference is the labour court which deals with industrial disputes of any nature.
Although the labour court has been of great help in cases which have been brought before them especially cases of premature termination of contracts and non payment of salaries, teams previously raised a technical point of non-recognition of the union. In terms of the labour laws of Botswana, a Union will only be recognised if it represents more than one third of its contracted members within a certain trade. It is on this basis that teams feel that the union must sign a recognition agreement with each of the teams before they (union) can help the players who are their members.
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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.
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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.”