O roma mang?
Mqondisi Dube | Friday July 22, 2016 12:33
Tebogo Sebego (incumbent)
A lawyer by profession, Tebogo Sebego powered into football’s top seat after ousting another legal mind, David Fani in what was predicted as a close contest but proved to be a landslide in 2012. He is a Notwane fan and was a BFA legal advisor before he rose to the top.
Criticism
Sebego has had a turbulent four years at the helm with football firmly stuck in controversy. He has been quick to point the finger at fellow National Executive Committee (NEC) members for the rough ride.
Sebego argues, the new constitution and the bloc election of members is key to restoring sanity at the troubled Lekidi Centre. But others counter, this might be a simplistic view anchored on the linear or magic bullet theory. Relationship issues have proven to be the association’s Archiles Heel.
In 2012, Sebego anchored his campaign on privatisation, but while he has trumpeted the project as a success, citing a rise in sponsorship figures, his critics maintain, it was during his tenure that football lost a couple of partners who include Orange Botswana and BancABC. If he is retained, Sebego faces a mammoth task to convince an already skeptical corporate world to associate with the crisis-hit game.
Under his tenure, the Zebras have struggled to have decent preparations with BFA admitting it is too broke to shell dues. Sebego has said the transfer of that responsibility to the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) will solve the persistent problem.
His critics acknowledge he has a smart brain, but questions continue to linger over Sebego’s decision to stick with Tariq Babitseng who is tipped to come in as one of the vice presidents if his camp triumphs. Babitseng was questioned over financial impropriety and although Sebego is adamant he was acquitted, issues of trust and integrity are key in an organisation like the BFA where professional conduct cannot be compromised. Perceptions, real or perceived matter and Sebego would find it hard to ignore this.
The president has also been accused of failing to act decisively leading to the current rot, which extends to the Botswana Premier League (BPL). It was only on Wednesday night that Sebego suspended the BPL board, just nine days before the elections and the cancerous damage had spread far and wide.
Sebego has said the BPL blame should not be recklessly smeared all over, but the BPL is an organ of the BFA and it is difficult not to dump the Premier League mess at his doorstep. History will judge that it was under his leadership that the local game failed to crown a champion at the official end of the season.
There are also question marks over Sebego’s role in the deteriorating relationship with his lieutenants at the BFA NEC and how this was allowed to reach rock bottom. His relationship with the BNSC and the ministry of youth, sport and culture appears frosty after the play-off and Peter Butler incidents. One wonders how he will mend fences going forward with the two being vital football stakeholders.
Strengths
Sebego is just about to complete his first term in a testing sport leadership position, the highest he has ever held. He was largely considered a green horn when he succeeded Fani and some of his mistakes can be forgiven as he seeks to consolidate in the second term.
Despite the new constitution being a FIFA initiative, Sebego managed to add vital meat to the skeletal document.
Even though the sponsorship figures were bound to rise, it was under Sebego’s tenure that Premier League sponsor, beMOBILE increased its involvement in the league from an initial P15 million over three years to the current P30 million. It was under his rule that the First Division managed to bag a sponsor, Debswana after eight season in the wilderness. A deal was also struck with car dealer, Barloworld who provide transport for the national team coach.
It was under Sebego that more clubs, although often with disastrous outcomes, tried the privatisation route.
He appears to have the energy and vim to correct the past which he has acknowledged was a tough learning experience.
Verdict
Sebego has preached continuity, but if he is retained, he might want to rebrand and take a fresh path. He will be eager to leave a solid legacy given what transpired in his first four years as he has promised that if he gets the votes, this will be his last term. His supporters say he has the critical backing of a number of regions sufficient enough to put him back to the post.
Maclean Letshwiti (challenger)
Letshwiti supported Gaborone United at a young age before he turned focus to his home village team, Mochudi Centre Chiefs. He has remained on the periphery of administration as a financier but has, in recent times, watched his side plunge into ownership wrangles.
Criticism
Letshwiti has identified development as key to the growth of local football and this has been core to his campaign. However, critics say this should have started or reflected at his club, Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
Initially, Letshwiti was reluctant to join the race citing business commitments as his reason, and some will question where he will get the time to fully focus on pressing BFA matters. But he has previously said, he does not need to be at the BFA office full-time once he has the proper structures and personnel in place.
There have been question marks over Letshwiti’s team. Letshwiti, has, like Sebego, been slow in announcing his running mates. However, there are concerns that Letshwiti might want to retain some of the members involved in the current BFA fracas. Critics argue, Letshwiti, if voted, will need pre-dominantly fresh blood to lead BFA in a new and assuring direction.
Others might argue, he wants to ride on the current crisis, although he has already dismissed that, saying he is in football to rescue it from the mess it finds itself in.
Strengths
Letshwiti is a respected, meticulous businessman and Sebego acknowledges him as his mentor (in football). He appears to carry sufficient gravitas to attract a reluctant corporate world that will need some convincing to return to the game of football after a forgettable 2015/2016 season. Letshwiti owns more than 10 companies, some of which are multi million entities and his management skills are key.
Insiders say he has easy assess to the right political offices which might smoothen negotiations with key stakeholders.
Verdict
He has the key backing of the Premier League teams and has made inroads in certain regions, which up to now are seen as Sebego’s fortress. He has promised to stand for one term and appears to contain the hunger to turn the situation around.
Solomon Mantswe (challenger)
The soft-spoken Mantswe is a high-ranking police officer and serves as the Police XI chairperson as well the vice chairperson of the Botswana Premier League board.
Criticism
Mantswe made a late surge although he argued there was still sufficient time for him to make an impression and convince the football people to give him the keys to Lekidi Centre.
Time, although he denies it, will be key for Mantswe. He is seen as a late, late entry and has already been labelled a dark horse in what is viewed as a two-horse race.
Again, not much is known of Mantswe who rose to prominence when he was elected BPL vice chairperson.
He appeared to lap Sebego’s campaign during a recent televised debate instead of propagating his own programme. He was criticised for narrowing his focus to Premier League autonomy, leading to Sebego suggesting that he was best suited for the BPL board chairperson post instead of the higher BFA presidency.
Strengths
He comes from a background (Police Service) where issues of corporate governance, discipline and accountability are pivotal. His club, Police XI is well managed as a member of the disciplined force.
Mantswe appears to be a voice of reason, in a ‘mad season’ where forces are torn between Sebego and Letshwiti. His entry offers fence sitters and perceived neutrals an opportunity with what appears to be an unassuming, credible candidate.
Out of the three candidates, he was the first to release his team despite arriving on the scene last. His team has been hailed as containing some of the finest administrators who deserve a chance at the BFA top table.
Considered a dark horse means less pressure and like in South Africa’s football elections a few years back, Mantse hopes for a Kirsten Nemantendani-like victory.
Verdict
Mantswe has to pull a Houdini Act after his last minute arrival. It is difficult to see where his constituency lies and he is forced to eat the two’s (Sebego and Mantswe) lunch. That appears a mammoth task as most delegates appear split between the two, but at the end it might work in Mantswe’s favour, although odds are stacked against him.