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There are huge expectations that the General Assembly will usher in a new era in Botswana football. We are talking here of an era in which the practices and principles of professionalism will start to apply. And in all fairness, the starting point is obviously the change in the BFA structures, as well as the mindset of people who man the structures. It is expected that men of integrity who are out to serve football diligently will run the new structures. With the new structures, the mindset will hopefully change. Without change in the thinking of men at the top, transformation is a pipe dream. We cannot argue about the fact that good intentions on paper count for nothing if not followed by good deeds.
For a long time, there has been plenty of talk. But someone would have to drive the process of change. And it doesn’t come cheap, nor is it sweet. For a long time, stakeholders in the game have spoken strongly about change- not in human terms but tangible plans to effect professionalism. What we have, in most cases, overlooked is the compelling need to create an environment that can allow for change to take place.
On paper, the new constitution has some brilliant points. But we are all used to such kind of rhetoric- good spoken word but poor delivery. The real thing for now is for football to look good in the eyes of the general public, the sponsors and our own clubs. We cannot say the same about the present day set-up. The set-up as of now has been disturbed by events of the past. The situation has never been normal. The saga surrounding football that led to the formation of Botswana Soccer Association (BOSA) was a sad chapter for Botswana. The effects of such development are still being felt to this day. With the mood and interest at the lowest ebb, the national team’s improved performance came like a breath of fresh air. Everyone loves the national team, and as was the case many years ago, when the Zebras do well, the public descend on the National Stadium in large numbers. In the past, people loved their clubs. There is a beautiful side to the show of affection for the national team. If the crowd could watch the national team in large numbers, it means there are people who will watch our league matches if we shed off the bad image, reorganise and improve refereeing. Having the crowds at league matches is vital for development of teams.
At present, and I hope someone agrees with me, the improved performance of the national team will be short-lived if the same praise poems on performance cannot be written about our domestic leagues. An ideal set-up would be where things go right for the leagues especially those that immediately feed the national team. At present, the Zebras stay longer in camp because the club structures are almost in ruins. A player who leaves the national team is not necessarily under good care at club level. In most cases, it is not because the clubs have alternatives. It is because they are not empowered to deliver, save for the ones who enjoy huge government support. If interest in the domestic league programme is low and incentives are nonexsistent and structures are weak, if our clubs are poorly positioned to compete internationally, under no circumstances would we be in a position to build a strong national team.
While we preach the need for improvement in the quality of our football, we need to take care of the clubs and the national team will take care of itself. I hope my comments are taken in good faith and anyone with malicious intent and vendetta does not use them wrongly to suit his agenda. Without trying to sound pompous, I know what I am talking about. Perhaps I am wrong, and I stand to be corrected. As a parting shot, to help us achieve our goals in football, the issues of division should be tackled.We have all learned a thing or two from the BOSA/BFA saga,and that is from the noise and bickering, no one wins. If there was a winner from the past fight- may I kindly be allowed a glimpse?
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