BFA reserves P2.4 million for regional football
Funds to be divided amongst 400 clubs
Botswana Football Association ( BFA) are set to spend at least P2.4 million on regional football clubs as they ready themselves for a return to league action. At least 400 regional football clubs across the country are set to benefit from this program.
The local football governing mother body have reportedly set aside P6 000 for each club; this number includes ladies and men football clubs. According to the association’s regional coordinator and competitions manager, Setete Phuthego plans on safe return to competitive regional football action are well underway.
“The teams will receive their FIFA relief fund position, we have a lot of teams around the country and we have decided to give each
P6 000 to help them fulfil safe return to football. We have already hosted workshops to train their COVID- 19 compliance officers. We are engaging with relevant authorities to propose that they help with testing of players to alleviate costs on clubs,” Phuthego said. Phuthego also allayed fears that regional football may not be played this year as lower league clubs are financially challenged to satisfy compliance manual requirements set by BFA in the fight against the deadly corona virus.
“Our wish is to have our regional leagues played, at the moment there is nothing to suggest that it cannot be played. We are hopeful that after the independence break, we would have assessed their readiness and training should resume. If all goes well we have earmarked early November to kick- start our season,” he shared.
Meanwhile, after being re- elected into office of Kweneng Division 2 as the chairman of the league, VTM FC owner, Vincent Mafuta shared on some of the challenges they have encountered as lower league football structures in the midst of the pandemic. “COVID- 19 has affected everyone in the country and football is not exempted. Our teams are relatively still small, most of them are society owned and COVID- 19 has really compounded our struggles,” Mafuta shared.
Mafuta added that they are working closely with BFA and other government institutions to ensure regional football league will be played under zero COVID- 19 environment as the fight against the deadly virus continues. He said: “We need to formulate strategies and build partnerships with existing institutions and utilize their facilities to fulfill compliance on safe return to play. BFA’s responsibility is to