Botswana Football Association has taken a giant step in developing new and young referees. Today the association was officially closing The 5-day Kweneng Regional Association Referees Beginners course at Lekidi Football Centre that has attracted 25 young and promising referees (23 men and 2 women)

 

The referees underwent a five-day course from the 18th to the 23rd of December. The course was conducted by Instructor Mr. Phodiso Jonty Rasetsoga (BFA Referees Manager)

 

Speaking in the course closing ceremony held earlier today Mr Rasetsoga highlighted that the budding referees were taken through the laws of the game, oral, theory, written and practical sessions which advanced into exams on the final.

 

“It was a wonderful class the participants showed a lot of eagerness and energy during the sessions and it is important that these fresh referees get involved in many matches organized in their region”, he added.

 

In his keynote address, Botswana Football Association CEO Mfolo Mfolo highlighted that the association has 17 regions across the country, national women’s football, and the Botswana Football League, which consists of two leagues, the Botswana Premier League and the National First Division League. He added that the BFA is reviewing football in Botswana

 

He concluded by explaining to the course participants that they have to go through all the structures, from the regional leagues to the highest leagues, the Botswana Premier League until they reach international stadiums such as COSAFA and AFCON to officiate the elite games.

 

One of the course participants Mr. Khumo Jackson, commented that to be a referee must be passionate, dedicated and hardworking.

 

Mr Alec Fela also the chairman of the referees committee (NEC Member), in his address appreciated the time taken by participants during festive days as they felt it was appropriate and worthy to be here. He added that discipline is the key to being a referee.