BFA moves to address lack of qualified coaches
Mqondisi Dube | Friday July 6, 2018 13:03
Shocking statistics reveal that there is no local coach who holds a Pro Licence while only three have the CAF A Licence.
In a bid to plug the gap, Letsoaka will run courses in earnest, and has set a target of 24 Pro Licence and 210 A Licence by 2020.
The former Bafana Bafana assistant coach signed a three-year contract with BFA at the beginning of June.
BFA public relations manager, Tumo Mpatane said the association is working hard to ensure that local coaches get the right qualifications.
“The technical director is hard at work to ensure that going forward we empower our coaches. We want to put our house in order as far as coaches are concerned. This is key to growth. The players have to be coached by people with the right credentials. We will announce dates for the coaching courses in due course,” Mpatane said.
The courses are expected to be conducted during FIFA dates, as the BFA moves to address the ‘coaching drought’, which has seen local coaches play second fiddle to their counterparts from the region and beyond.
Letsoaka has said he will tackle the challenge that lies ahead through a three-pronged attack.
He has prioritised grassroots, coach education and youth development as he seeks to push forward BFA president, Maclean Letshwiti’s development programme.
Letshwiti anchored his campaign for the BFA presidency prior to the August 2016 election, on development.
Youth leagues have been established across the country, with Letshwiti arguing that success at senior level can only be achieved with a vibrant base.
Meanwhile, the Under-17 national side is busy at work preparing for this year’s COSAFA Cup challenge, which will be held in Mauritius from July 19 to 29, 2018.