Rakgare warns BFA
Chakalisa Dube | Saturday February 5, 2022 06:00
Apart from FIFA, BFA gets much of its funding from the government through the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) subvention. The association has in recent weeks grabbed headlines for the wrong reasons.
There have been allegations of corruption, misallocation of funds and lack of adherence to general governance standards at Lekidi. In an interview with Mmegi Sport this week, Rakgare warned the association will not get government funding if it does not put its house in order. “For the first time, I want to comment on the situation at BFA. I must say that the government is very worried about the utilisation of funds at the association.
Besides the alleged misallocation of FIFA funds at the association, there is general mismanagement of funds at BFA,” Rakgare said. “Soon the BFA will be called to account for government funds through the BNSC.
If the association cannot properly account, it will not get any form of funding or support from the government in future.” The former sports anchor said when Maclean Letshwiti took over the BFA presidency, it appeared as if there was progress in terms of dealing with issues of maladministration and mismanagement of funds at the association. According to Rakgare, the association is regressing in terms of managing its finances and administrative issues. Rakgare said Letshwiti has briefed him about the misallocation of FIFA funds. He said Letshwiti was apologetic and the minister expressed hope that the BFA will effectively handle the matter through its internal process.
Late last year, the BFA CEO, Goabaone Taylor was suspended on allegations that she carelessly spent FIFA project funds contrary to the FIFA Forward regulations 2.0. She was accused of diverting FIFA funds amounting to P6 million, which were meant for women’s football projects and COVID-19 relief funds. That money was reportedly used for other BFA operations. Between April and December last year, Taylor reportedly authorised the procurement of goods and services outside the budget approved by the BFA General Assembly, resulting in a debt of more than P2 million.
Taylor recently appeared before a disciplinary hearing at Lekidi to answer for the two charges and a verdict is expected in due course. Taylor maintains her innocence amid reports she is being made a scapegoat. She was recently slapped with an additional charge.