UEFA delegates question Mamelodi appointment

“When you are managing a project, you need to be closer to the developments and be able to make instant decisions. They have raised their concerns on this matter. Maybe It is better for those who assigned Mamelodi to explain why they entrusted him to lead the project,” close sources shared.

“Bennett brings a wealth of experience, quality and expertise to this project and I believe that he will be able to fulfil this mandate. Let us all support this appointment as well as the process, to ensure that the project is a success and the BFL can be transformed to become a structure that we can all be proud of,” said Letshwiti when announcing the appointment of the veteran football administrator.

UEFA Assist, a programme entrusted to lead transformation of football in developing countries, advised BFA high ranking officials during a closed session to reconsider or rectify that anormally by either bringing Mamelodi on board or appoint a new project manager from the said structures. According to several local reports, Mamelodi recently turned down BFA’s proposal to return and serve as the association’s CEO, following the departure of Goabaone Taylor, and former BFA CEO Mfolo Mfolo is now a front runner for the post. UEFA assist officials held a five days’ workshop in Gaborone last week as Botswana Football Association ( BFA) continues their efforts to transform the status of football in the country.

All 16 members of Botswana Football League ( BFL) attended the workshop as they were taken through their paces to transform in elite football brands. Mamelodi, a former Botswana Premier League ( BPL) CEO is currently serving at Township Rollers as the club’s CEO and was tasked to lead the UEFA Assist exercise by the association. It is expected that the current project manager will write and forward the UEFA Assist recommendations to the BFA following their recent visit, interestingly, it remains to be seen whether the project manager will touch on the issue surrounding his position in the project.

Mamelodi has been entrusted to lead the implementation of the defined 12 fields of action, as contained in the FIFA Botswana Strategic Plan of June 2020 on a 6 month assignment. The 12 points of action aimed at transforming football within all stakeholders are: new governance and business model, corporate identity, communication strategy, marketing strategy, broadcasting rights, sponsorship, technology, players, coaches and referees, fans, sustainable football, women football league and lastly, corporate social responsibility.