The BFA under the astute Presidency of Mr Maclean Letshwiti has strived to ensure it has good corporate governance in all its internal structures. The BFA endeavours to ensure we are accountable for all our decisions in perusing the growth of football in Botswana.
The President Mr Maclean Letshwiti instituted a financial and forensic audit when he began his term to fully understand the situation he had to reform. With that, we have set out a strategic plan for 2018-2020. We have, therefore, initiated the process of fully reformatting our constitution and internal regulatory codes which is currently at FIFA for ratification. Included in this constitution is club licensing, which all BPL clubs will be compelled to observe.
The growth of football in Botswana is of paramount importance for the BFA to increase the quality of the sport at all levels. While there are currently challenges facing the game in the country and Africa, the BFA is intent on tirelessly working to advance the development of the game in the country. Our commitment for football development has led us to engage European football experts who are highly qualified and experienced to assist in the youth development structures and training of our youth and women. The youth development policy of the BFA is to ensure the future generations of Batswana players can increase the level of football in the nation.
Furthermore, most employees of the BFA are young qualified football people. We also must be honest with ourselves and understand that the change in fortunes of the men and womenโs national team cannot occur overnight, but only with rigorous and diligent effort on the part of the BFA and all its members. Therefore, the confidence in the national teams fortunes will be restored as we embark on a renewal process; which includes amongst others the pending appointment of the national team coach and those of the junior teams.
Football is the largest employer of sports with extensive outreach throughout the nation. Due to the broad extent of the BFAโs outreach, the association has the ability to positively affect the lives of many Batswana. The operation of the BFA will subsequently have costs associated to it. In addition to the contribution of government, with regards to the funding of the association, the BFA also receives significant funding from FIFA. Without good corporate governance and accountability, we cannot expect any of our stakeholders to feel comfortable, which is why the president, Mr Maclean Letshwiti, has made restructuring one of his top priorities.
Furthermore, the BFA President has begun to enforce that the corporates who have graciously decided to sponsor the BFA must include Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, in line with the BFAโs directives, into all their contracts. The BFA has begun to further seek a corporate sponsor to aid with further funds to ensure that all stakeholders receive a return on investment.
President Mr Maclean Letshwiti and the BFA will carry on striving to increase the level of football in Botswana at both the senior level and football development. The president, as an astute businessman who has demonstrated capacity and capability to turn around organizations, is intent on doing the same with the BFA. He will ensure that good corporate governance and usage of funds will not only assist in football development but also change the lives of the surrounding communities. The BFA reiterates its commitment to work with the government, the private sector and we are committed to engaging with all other stakeholders locally as we are with FIFA in terms of accounting, delivery, and transparency.
