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Medical Committee hosts best practice safely returning to play workshop

Jun 23, 2021

GABORONE, Botswana – The Botswana Football Association (BFA) Medical Committee over the weekend hosted a two-day Return to Play workshop where an expert panel discussed their day-to-day experiences of dealing with the challenges related to Covid-19, including their level of preparedness in the high-performance sport environment.

The seminar held on Friday and Saturday at Lekidi Football Centre in Gaborone was aimed at ensuring that a considerable level of set health precautions is always upheld and to support all teams in the BFA structures, making sure they are capacitated, speak one language of ‘hygiene, prevention and prompt recognition’.

The committee, which is chaired by Dr. Lone Bogwasi, include Mpho Bogopa, Dr. Monkgogi Thakgathi, Aldrin Majaye, Kitso Dlamini, Golekanye Morutwa, Kaelo Kgosieyang, Dr. Mwamba Nsebula, Tshepo Makete and Tiroyaone Otimile.

Furthermore, the committee sought to identify areas of need by the football association as well as develop policies regarding sports medical matters locally.

This entails aspects of sports medicine, nutrition, psychology, sports science including continuous education and research which are part of the evolving field of football medicine.

The policy development will be done over the next three (3) months and handed over to the BFA National Executive Committee (NEC) for endorsement, implementation and roll out to the various structures of the FA.

“The medical profession and the country will look onto us and football to ensure outmost safety of the players during their engagement in footballing activities. A multi-disciplinary approach is needed in our engagement to ensure a holistic approach to caring for the athlete to enable a conducive environment for them to excel,” said Dr. Lone Bogwasi when addressing the workshop. From Gaborone, the training will be rolled out to all BFA Regional structures across the COVID-19 zones. This is expected to be done over a period of 2-3 weeks.

“The training will cover all teams in those regions being BFL, First Divisions, RFAs leagues as well as the women’s league.”

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Setlhoko Appointed as FIFA Women’s Football Development Expert

FIFA has announced the appointment of Ms. Tsholofelo Setlhoko as a FIFA Women’s Football Development Expert, joining a global network of qualified professionals dedicated to the growth and development of women’s football worldwide. This prestigious appointment recognizes Ms. Setlhoko’s exceptional contributions to the sport and her commitment to advancing women’s football across Botswana and beyond.

Launched in 2020, the FIFA Women’s Football Development Programmes have been instrumental in strengthening women’s football through targeted support for Member Associations. With the recent relaunch of the programme in December 2024, FIFA aims to expand its impact across all 211 Member Associations, offering tailored assistance that reflects the unique contexts and needs of each nation.

In her role as a FIFA Women’s Football Development Expert, Ms. Setlhoko will leverage her vast experience in football administration, strategic planning, and grassroots development to support Member Associations in implementing sustainable growth strategies. Her leadership within the Botswana Football Association (BFA), particularly in spearheading initiatives for women’s football, has set a benchmark for development and community engagement.

“I am deeply honored to be appointed as a FIFA Women’s Football Development Expert. This is not only a personal achievement but a victory for women’s football in Botswana. I look forward to sharing best practices and supporting the growth of women’s football in other Member Associations,” said Ms. Setlhoko.

The President of the Botswana Football Association, Mr. Tariq Babitseng, also expressed his pride in Ms. Setlhoko’s achievement, stating, “Tsholofelo’s appointment is a testament to her dedication and hard work. Her expertise and passion for women’s football are unmatched, and we are confident that she will make a substantial impact globally.”

Ms. Setlhoko’s appointment marks a significant step forward in the representation of African women in global football development. As she embarks on this journey, she remains committed to championing women’s football and inspiring the next generation of female athletes and administrators.