Women’s League second season faces funding test
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday October 12, 2026 06:00
The FNB Premiership is already in its fourth week, whilst the First Division and regional leagues are scheduled to begin in October, leaving the women’s national competition amongst the major domestic leagues yet to announce its return. Responding to MmegiSport’s enquiry, BFA interim CEO, Bathusi Rathari, said preparations for the new campaign were continuing, but did not provide a kick-off date.
“The Botswana Football Association (BFA) is currently finalising preparations for the new National Women’s League season,” he said.
Rathari added that the newly appointed National Women’s Football Committee will undergo an induction this weekend to align its responsibilities, operational structures, and competition preparations with the BFA’s national competition framework.
“All participating teams have registered under the BFA Club Licensing system,” he said.
The uncertainty over the start of the second season comes despite significant financial backing secured when the national women’s league was first announced.
In November 2024, BFA president Tariq Babitseng revealed the association had received $290,000, approximately P3.8 million at the time, from FIFA towards the running of the women’s national league, in addition to P2 million from the government.
The combined support amounted to just over P5.8 million.
The competition was initially scheduled for the 2024–2025 season but was postponed to 2025–2026 to allow for further preparations and a smoother transition from the regional structure.
The inaugural season eventually got underway under a two-stream format, with teams competing in Northern and Southern streams before the respective champions met for the national championship.
Gaborone United's (GU) Red Roses emerged as the inaugural national champions, beating Orapa United 5-1 in Palapye. The championship winners received P20,000, whilst clubs received P100,000 grants during the season.
However, the BFA has not yet secured a title sponsor for the new campaign.
“The BFA has not yet secured a title sponsor for the new National Women’s League season. “The federation is, however, actively pursuing sponsorship and commercial partnerships to support the long-term sustainability and growth of the competition,” Rathari said.
The federation has also applied to FIFA for support for an additional two seasons under the FIFA Women’s Football League Development Programme.
The latest BFA FIFA project-status report presented at the Football Pitso in August showed $56,935.89 (P766,700) outstanding under the Forward 2.0 Women’s Football League Project.
A separate proposal contained a $600,000 allocation (approximately P8 million) for two seasons of women’s league football under the BFA’s proposed Forward 3.0 portfolio.
The amount, however, is a proposed allocation and should not be regarded as confirmed funding already available to the league.
The BFA still has to satisfy project close-out requirements and obtain the necessary FIFA approvals before certain legacy funds can be reallocated.
At club level, Rathari said the federation is also working to clear an outstanding P200,000 balance owed to the 20 participating teams, translating to P10,000 per club.
He said the BFA was working to disburse the money before the new season, acknowledging that timely financial support was important for clubs as they prepare for administration, logistics, and operations.
On prize money, Rathari said the structure for the new season had not yet been finalised because discussions with potential sponsors and partners were still ongoing.
“The prize money structure for the new season has not yet been finalised, as the BFA is still engaging potential sponsors and partners,” he said.
He added that the federation would communicate the confirmed prize money once the arrangements had been concluded.
“Whilst FIFA support remains an important foundation for the league at its current development stage, the BFA acknowledges that the long-term sustainability of women’s football requires a stronger commercial model, increased investment and strategic partnerships,” Rathari said.
The inaugural campaign also exposed the logistical demands of running a national women’s competition, with long-distance travel emerging as one of the major challenges for participating clubs. The second season will, however, introduce four promoted sides into the national competition.
City Kings FC, Dunamis and Daughters FC, Gantsi United, and Mazottie FC secured their places after winning their respective regional competitions before going on to top their block playoffs.
They will be making their debut in the national league structure, with the teams set to compete in the Northern and Southern streams.
Their promotion adds a new dimension to a competition which saw GU’s Red Roses dominate the inaugural national championship, whilst Orapa United emerged as the leading side from the Northern Stream.