FNBB BOTESSA REFEREE COURSE
The motive behind BOTESSA organising the BFA Refereeing course to athletes was to address some of the grey areas that the association was faced with regarding shortage of trained officials in its ecosystem. The whole purpose of the workshop was to train BOTESSA students to be custodians of the laws of the game on the field of play. FNBB BOTESSA’ interest was to equip the students with management skills, how to communicate with the players and how to handle big temperamental games at local competitions.
The workshop was held in Gaborone at the Botswana Football Association (BFA) Lekedi Football Center and it was officially opened by the BFA Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Goabaone Taylor on the 29 June 2021. A total number of Twenty-one (21) participants from BOTESSA member affiliates attended the workshop and Five (5) of them being women. The week long course started on the 28 June- 02 July 2021 with an awarding ceremony at the end where Dr. Carolin Braun , BFA Acting Technical Director officially closed the event. This was the first of its kind where the athletes were fully engaged on the theory and practical approaches of learning and eventually certified as referees. In her word of encouragement to the athletes Ms Boga Chilinde-Masebu, the FNBB Communications and Public Relations Manager said a good referee should be fit, observant, decisive, and will have a strong character without being egotistical.