Why Dipsy snubbed BFA leadership race
Sport
Former Botswana international Diphetogo Selolwane has explained the reason behind snubbing the Botswana Football Association (BFA) leadership race despite having been approached by various individuals within the contesting camps.
With many retired players coming to lead football associations in various countries, expectations were that one of the retired football players in Botswana will also raise their hand and challenge for leadership positions at the BFA elective Annual General Assembly. The elections are anticipated to be held in Francistown this month (at a date to be announced).
Former players are fond of criticising and blaming BFA for neglecting them after retiring. Observers believe players should come to the fore in leading local football and putting their experience and knowledge of the game to use. Selolwane, popularly known as Dipsy, has come out to justify his decision for not standing for BFA elections, citing that his football academy and business have made it hard for him to participate in the race.
Dipsy, who has plied his trade in various countries, including South Africa, Denmark and the United States, contends that he would not have time to lead the association. He however admitted that he was approached by different camps and he was once interested in challenging for a leadership position in BFA NEC.
You do not necessarily need to be in NEC to be a leader in football. It has to be a thing you are passionate about as an individual, said the former University of Pretoria attacking midfielder. I did not stand because my academy and other businesses needed me more so I could not have time for other commitments but maybe in future you never know I may stand if everything permits.”
Selolwane also revealed that former players can play other roles besides being in the NEC as there are many ways they can play their part in developing football without necessarily being political. “You need to know that NEC elections can be too political something that former players are not used to and are new to. So this can make it hard for them to stand, and the campaigns need money and one spends a lot in such things.
So personally I feel former players are not only recognised because they are in NEC, does being in NEC make you more recognised? asked the outspoken Selolwane rhetorically.I am not supporting any team. I only want those who are seriously interested in taking our football forward to lead the association. Football needs minds that know what they want to do for our football whether they are former players or not it does not matter.
What matters is they should be taking our football to the next level. Our argument should be; are those standing having the best interest of football at heart?” The 42 year-old Selolwane has played for Gaborone United and has seen his career take him to America where he played for clubs such as Chicago Fire and Real Salt Lake in the Major League Soccer (MLS) and in South Africa where he had an illustrious career, donning the shirts of Santos, Jomo Cosmos, Cape Town, SuperSport and University of Pretoria.
Selolwane was part of the Zebras team that qualified for Gabon 2012, where he scored Botswanas debut goal at the tournament.
For his part former Township Rollers player, States Segopolo said even though the number of former players coming to challenge for BFA positions are low, he believes with time they will have former players challenging for the presidency.
“I feel former players are beginning to see the importance of not waiting to be recruited to stand for positions as they see that you can wait for forever so it is upon them to raise their hands and challenge for positions they are comfortable with. The likes of Mlungisi, Chandy will add to Marshalow, Sebego and Nchingane so the number is not that bad. But we need to have more of them even former female players,” said States Segopolo.
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