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Botswana Football Heads form professionalism  Task Team

Leaders of the game formed a Botswana League Task Force that is intended to reshape the game in Botswana at Premier League Level.  The decision was arrived at during a workshop in Tlotlo Hotel and Conference Centre where the leaders converged to discuss how best to professionalise the game.  “We learned a lesson from Bosele declaration where we just agreed on a document but there was no Monitoring and Evaluation,” said Ashford Mamelodi, the FIFA Development Officer.  He emphasized that they believe with a task force things will change for the better in Botswana football.

The task team will be given a key mandate of doing research on how best Botswana Football can be professionalised.  Some of the key challenges they will have to grapple with will be to come up with the best model that suits Botswana Football Clubs- trust, society, or companies.  Most football leaders agree that societies are a head ache to Botswana Football as almost every season there is some litigation against a particular society in football.  The other key issue the task team have to engage is whether salaries have to be governed.  In some countries like Australia they have salary caps for teams.  Teams in the Botswana Premier League always have financial problems owing to increasing costs and reduced revenue.

Still at the workshop the Facilitator of the workshop from FIFA, Robbie Middleby, said they have identified that different leagues adopt different modus operandi on different areas of operations of their respective leagues. “In Australia there is no promotion and relegation in the Premier division… it works for them… In countries like Poland, Kenya, and India teams that travel longer distance for matches get more grants than others.”  With this he urged the task team to keep an open mind and arrive at the best recommendations informed by thorough research that suits the Botswana Situation.

The task force that is made of 7 football leaders and chaired by the second Vice President of BFA Mr Marshlow P. Motlogelwa.  They will be working closely with Middleby and are expected to complete the research and recommendations within the next six months.  The workshop was attended by football leaders from BFA National Executive Committee, Chairs of the clubs, First Division, Secretariat of the BFA and Premier League, media, and other BFA structures.

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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.

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