German expert aims to transform women's football
Kebone Laetsang | Friday March 15, 2019 13:04
Football expert, Dr Carolin Braun, who comes highly recommended, is the new woman in charge. She is expected to drive the ailing women’s game to the promised land.
Braun came to Botswana through the German Olympic Sport Confederation (DOSB) together with the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where there are qualified experts who take up opportunities abroad.
She was picked by the BFA through interactions with German officials. Botswana had been given three choices to pick from and Braun emerged as the preferred candidate.
Dr. Braun told Mmegi Sport this week that she has been involved in sport in Germany and abroad. She was involved in men’s football at an early age. A Phd holder in sport sciences, Dr. Braun wants to ensure that she imparts her technical knowledge in order to grow the women’s game in Botswana.
She has already met the women’s team and said the relationship was good.
“I am adapting to the new weather conditions. The people of Botswana are friendly and this is my third week in the office and I am enjoying my stay here so far,” she said.
Dr. Braun aims to groom children from a tender age in order to mould them into fine players of the future.
She said Botswana and Germany have partnered in order to grow football and share crucial points needed to advance the sport.
“This partnership focuses more on football ethics and conduct, training, including coaches, so that they nurture players well to be the best.
“The local football coaches need to be taught about the importance of youth development and other skills that are not being specialised in Botswana. They need to have coaching license in order for them to be able to lead a particular team,” she said.
She added that through the German Talent Promotion Programme, where she coached the Under 11 to 14 teams, she would be able to share her knowledge to the benefit of the local game. Dr. Braun said she aims to make women in football to take the sport seriously as football on its own creates self-confidence.
The expert will work closely with BFA technical director, Serame Letsoaka in grassroots development and coach education.
She will be in the country for three years and has previously worked with the Gambia Football Federation.
She holds one of the highest qualifications in football, the UEFA A licence.