The Mares attract attention
revealed. Similar observations are made by BNSC’s Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) Tuelo Serufho, who gave more clarity surrounding the subject. “We have been financially supporting the team whenever there is a need for us to help, even
today, we are waiting for BFA to send through their plan and budget ahead of the AWCON finals.
The difference is that government and FIFA are not competing but rather complementing each other, the women football has a grant from FIFA which the association uses to run women football programmes,” Serufho shared.
“Where they fall short, that’s when they can reach out to us for assistance, government does not want to be seen competing with the likes of FIFA, IOC and other relevant institutions in these kinds of matters. We take full responsibility for the Zebras because, if you look closely, they do not have any specific amount from FIFA which BFA can use so we have to chip in and help,” Serufho elaborated. Despite a nerve wrecking 2-0 loss to Zimbabwe last week Wednesday in Francistown, the team punched their ticket to Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON), which will be held in Morocco in July, thanks to the away goal rule after the match ended 3 all on aggregate. The business community and indeed the government have shown positive indicators that the financial struggles of the team could soon belong to archives as part of history.
Lucara diamond mining company gave the team at least P300 000 ahead of their clash with Zimbabwe and Botswana government further added to that, pledging P557 500 in appreciation of the team’s historical achievements and inspiration of future success prospects. It has been over eight years since Botswana’s women football league had any comprehensive league sponsor, despite significant growth in the women’s game at national level. Late last year, Diamond Trading Company of Botswana (DTCB) and Botswana Football Association (BFA) announced a sponsorship deal towards women football league and grassroots football at a tune of P2 430 000, which will be spread across a three year period, and expected to further enhance the local women football.