BFA ropes in Sikwane
The Botswana Football Association (BFA) has hired former Gaborone United general manager, Olebile Sikwane as the head of Ccompetitions and operations. Sikwane, who started work at Lekidi Centre this week, replaces Phuthego Setete whose contract was not renewed. BFA chief executive officer, Mfolo Mfolo said Sikwane’s credentials influenced their decision to engage him.
“We have certain expectations for that role. So, we floated an advert with a recruitment agency and the criteria were laid down, so he emerged from the short-listed as the closest to the criteria. He brings with him a qualification in law, which helps us ease the complications in competitions. He also has experience in managing people coming from the corporate, so that addresses the operational requirements that we need to manage BFA efficiently,” Mfolo said.
“FIFA and CAF are very strict in club licensing and competitions in terms of rules and regulations. We think he should be able to fit that role also because he’s been involved with two big clubs here before. He’s also a FIFA and BFA accredited agent, so he’s not completely new in this terrain,” he added.
Mfolo said the position is about the interpretation of the rules and regulations of CAF and FIFA, and making them work for local clubs and national teams working with sponsors and others. “It involves club licensing also because FIFA wants us to evolve from manual to digital,”
he added. “From the operational objectives, we have to do better as a team. His duty is to help the BFA become a unit, to become a team of professionals whose objective is football development as per our mandate. He’s coming in to assist as a utility person in the administration so that I can also focus on other areas, which need me the most.
He’s a writer, he may also help us strengthen our relationship with the media and the football community going forward,” Mfolo said. Sikwane said his background in the corporate world and as a journalist, should put him in good stead to assist the association.
“I have the requisite business intelligence and business development experience, especially
coming from financial services. Furthermore, I have two qualifications in law which also give me a thorough understanding of the rules and regulations, especially in the Competitions and Club Licensing departments,” he said.
“The BFA today needs that kind of pedigree. It needs versatile people who are agile enough to carry the responsibilities that FIFA and CAF continue to demand from all associations. My corporate background says to me I should be able to help the association rehabilitate its relationship with corporates and partners, both present and prospective,” Sikwane added. Sikwane has also been instrumental, as an agent in the transfer of local players to South Africa, as he has networks in the neighbouring country.