'JJ' declines P4,000 for AFCON bid role
Mqondisi Dube | Saturday January 28, 2023 06:00
Ramatlhakwana was appointed together with former Zebras teammate, Diphetogo ‘Dipsy’ Selolwane and Mares captain, Bonang Otlhagile and former women’s national team player, Kefilwe Modisaotsile.
It is unclear if Selolwane took the offer, but reports indicate Otlhagile and Modisaotsile agreed to the deal. The bid ambassadors are paid the $350 per appearance. No immediate comment could be obtained from the bid ambassadors on the offer. Botswana and Namibia are jointly bidding to host the 2027 AFCON finals.
The Botswana-Namibia (BONA) bid appointed the ambassadors in November. BONA technical bid chairperson, Ashford Mamelodi said he was unaware of any complaints regarding the offer to the bid ambassadors. “I am not aware of any complaint regarding allowances payable to Bid Ambassadors,” Mamelodi briefly said yesterday.
Namibia also appointed four ambassadors, Brave Gladiators’ player, Lovisa Mulunga, national hockey captain, Magreth Mengo, former Brave Warriors captain, Ronald Ketjirere and former Brave Warriors coach, Ricardo Manetti.
Botswana government has allocated more than P1.1 billion towards refurbishing existing facilities as well as building new ones in readiness of the hosting. The bid committee has reportedly identified a company to carry out the facilities audit, which will determine the cost of hosting.
Mamelodi has already hinted at building a new facility as hosting the AFCON finals requires four CAF approved facilities. The likely venues are Obed Itani Chilume Stadium, National Stadium and Lobatse Sports Complex.
Maun has been identified as one of the possible hosts, but with no CAF approved facility, a new stadium might have to be built, or extensive works carried out on the Maun Sports Complex.