BFA to use FIFA funds to build pitches
Larona Makhaiza | Saturday February 25, 2023 06:00
FIFA announced an increase in grants to all associations and the BFA CEO, Mfolo Mfolo told the media this week that they had big plans. “We have plans to build four grounds with this money as we have noted with concern that there is really a shortage of venues in the country,” Mfolo said.
However, the four grounds will not be eligible to host the Botswana Premiere League matches, although they can be used for lower division matches. The facilities will be built in three BFA blocks in the country as a way to take developments to other parts of the country that have always been overlooked. “We have plans to build a ground in Maun and we already have the land there and we can start anytime.
We are only waiting for the funds,” Mfolo stated. The other basic ground will be built in Shakawe. Mfolo said they saw Shakawe as one of the befitting places to have the ground after the association's officials visited the area. “We were impressed by children in Shakawe during our tour as we saw that they have a love for football. With them it's either they are playing football or fishing,” stated Mfolo. In the Eastern Block, the ground will be built in Mahalapye. However, Mfolo said initially they encountered some challenges with acquiring land for the ground in Mahalapye.
The BFA had to liaise with the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture who then agreed to lease the land to them. The last basic ground will be built in Kang for the Western Block. Mfolo said they chose Kang as the other possible areas, Tsabong and Gantsi, are already earmarked for similar developments under government plans. Mfolo said a standard pitch will be built in Kazungula, which will be different from the other facilities.
He further said the BFA has managed to get land in Francistown, Tonota and Letlhakane but the association has different plans for the spaces. “With the other land that we have, we plan to turn them into viable commercial plots so that they can generate income for us as we can’t be depending on the government and FIFA for funds,” he said. The Southern Block was exempted from these developmental plans as it is deemed to have enough infrastructure for football compared to the other blocks in the country.
The block incorporates Gaborone and surrounding areas. At the press conference, Mfolo also announced that the association has lifted the suspension of former BFA employees, Phuthego Setete and Tebogo 'Tico' Kamati. “On February 15 this year, we met as a board and decided to lift the suspensions of the two,” Mfolo said. They were suspended for their role in the Onkarabile Ratanang registration saga, which rocked local football last season.