Players receive COVID-19 relief payments
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday August 14, 2020 11:49
The payments are part of the government’s efforts to cushion clubs following the suspension of sporting activities in March.
Confirming the payment, Botswana Football Association (BFA) spokesperson, Tumo Mpatane said the process of distributing the funds started towards the end last week. He said other players are still receiving their dues from the association.
When announcing the Fund a few months ago, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Tumiso Rakgare revealed that BPL players would get P2, 500 while P1, 500 is for First Division players.
Rakgare also stressed that the money would be sent straight into the players’ accounts. Although the decision appeared to rub some clubs the wrong way, other pundits felt it was the best decision.
However, there were challenges since not all the players have bank accounts hence the decision by the Botswana National Sport Council (BNSC) to channel the money to BFA for easier distribution.
Mpatane said those without bank accounts have been assisted using several mobile money services.
Desperation has been setting in with the players who have been struggling financially since the stoppage of the league action. The delay in paying the players had been partly blamed on some clubs who could not submit the required documents on time.
Meanwhile, Mpatane said they are still waiting for relief funds from FIFA, which is also expected to cushion the clubs. Two months ago, FIFA announced $1.5 billion in grants and loans to its member associations as a COVID-19 relief fund.
As a member association, the BFA will also receive its share of $1 million (about P11.7 million) as a grant. The BFA will get an additional $500, 000 (about P5.8 million) which will specifically go to women’s football. The association will also be able to apply for an interest free loan of up to P17 million.