DCEC probes BFA
Sport
BFA President Tebogo Sebego and BFA secretariat Kitso Kemoeng
The Directorate in Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) is said to be investigating scandal-hit Botswana Football Association amid mounting reports that tenders involving the restructuring exercise where carried out and completed under shrouded circumstances-WeekendSport has been informed.
This came to the fore at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held last week Friday at Lekidi football center although sources say the board was not allowed to read nor see the contents of the DCEC letter. However, this publication can authoritatively reveal that the issue was mentioned in the BFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) report with the leaked extract reading: ‘‘the secretariat has received notice of investigation on the subject of restructuring. The secretariat is doing its part in complying with requirements of the investigation.’’
It is indicated that the issue of restructuring has been troubling the association and efforts of resolving the matter never materialized. In a previous NEC gathering, sources say, a resolution was taken that both the Vice President- finances and marketing Marshlow Motlogelwa and the head of BFA secretariat Kitso Kemoeng conduct an internal inquiry to seek answers on what really transpired during the tendering process. WeekendSport is further informed that the high ranking NEC members discovered that the procedure was indeed flawed.
However, the NEC is said to be disgruntled as the president of the association Tebogo Sebego reportedly “blocked” his right arm-Motlogelwa from reporting back to the committee as per the agreed action item. Instead, according to sources, Global consultants- a company that has apparently won the bid to initiate the BFA restructuring exercise- made its presentation despite not appearing in the agenda for that day.
It is further said that a notably file and rank member of the committee refused altogether to discuss the presentations made by Global consultants as they viewed the ‘hurried’ presentations as part of arrangements only drawn by both the president and the chief executive officer. Motlogelwa could not be reached for comment as his phone rang without answer. The president redirected all enquiries to the BFA CEO.
Fingers of blame point to the CEO’s office, who is said to be keeping the matter within BFA confidential files. It is believed that the former Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) boss is refusing to discuss the matter with NEC officials claiming that DCEC is restricting him. As sensitive as it is, it is said the president and the CEO had held a meeting prior to the said meeting with the company.
When reached for clarity, the evasive BFA CEO Kitso Kemoeng refused altogether to share details with this publication. ‘‘I think you should ask DCEC, they are best placed to answer your question,’’ he said. When further pressed about the restructuring issue, the CEO said, ‘‘I cannot talk about that matter, those who have informed you should have given you all the details.’’ Beforehand, the incumbent CEO had laughed off the issue that he is conniving with the president to block other members from discussing the matter.
The Association’s restructuring came to the fore first late last year. Then, the president was accused by several NEC members of signing the contract with Global consultant without engaging his committee. It was alleged that the contract was copied to FIFA- the world football governing body to inject cash for the restructuring exercise. At that time, when the president was asked about the issue he only uttered a few words, that, ‘‘we will take the matters by the strides, I have not heard of any revolt and the law shall prevail.’’
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.
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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.”