A welcome and refreshing undertaking, the programme, which opened on Monday, April 12th – 16th, was intended to achieve a renewal in terms of how football is managed at all levels throughout the country, facilitated by FIFA instructor and consultant, Ashford Mamelodi of Mamelodi Consulting.

 

The objectives of the programme included the empowerment of leaders, both Regional Structures and Clubs, on the management of the game; engaging participants on the importance of Stakeholder management, as well as identifying for further training prospective national course instructors in Administration and Management, with a view that once qualified, they will continue to train up and coming Administrators in the Regions on football administration.

In his remarks, the BFA President said the programme has seen more than 500 participants across the country benefiting at a cost over P4 million courtesy of football’s world governing body, FIFA.

 

“I am delighted to see that our regions participated in this programme with large numbers, and they have also shown willingness and strong commitment to learn fittingly. For us to run professional leagues, and independent regional associations, we must equip our personnel with the right courses that enable them to be professional and act along the FIFA standards and statutes. The BFA will under my leadership be a frontrunner in improving the standards of football both administratively and in the field,” said Letshwiti.

 

Letshwiti noted that Botswana was one of the first countries to benefit from the FIFA Operation Time for Change project, saying this goes to show the level of commitment the local FA has for the growth of the sport.

 

The project, which was facilitated by FIFA instructor and consultant, Ashford Mamelodi of Mamelodi Consulting ranged from governance, technical, sponsorship, fan base management, financial management and competitions amongst others.

 

“There is a lot of hope as the Gaborone region is in the capital city where the headquarters are. I am also happy that the region now has an office, and this is where all the 49 teams in the Gaborone region can go get serviced. After this weeklong engagement, the region has assured me that they will bring about the much-needed change of how they have been running their matters including sub-constitution from the parent constitution to give the chairman powers to run the region professionally. This is the biggest investment the FA has made, and it has to be put into practice. If all the stakeholders can all pull in the same direction, the BFA can be one of the strongest FAs at FIFA level,” said Mamelodi in his closing remarks.

 

For his part, the Gaborone regional FA, Vice Chairperson, Thapelo Mothusi said as the region they are grateful for all the lessons learnt from the Operation Time for Change course. He said all club administrators have been fully equipped with critical lessons to implement at their various clubs.

 

As it was the last day of the course, all participants were tasked with case studies to mimic real football situations, ranging from organizing the play-offs, youth tournaments and event management.

 

Meanwhile, The BFA Technical officer, Tshepo Mphukuthi further assured the delegates that in the upcoming football season, the CAF regulations will be intensified, and teams will have to have coaches with relevant coaching badges to be illegible to coach particularly at CAF competitions.

 

From Gaborone, the Operation Time for Change programme will head out to the Kgatleng Regional FA, from April 26th – 30th, and call it a wrap in Palapye from 10th – 14th May 2021 with the Central/North Regional FA (Serowe).