�OT� Elected Fub President
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Monday June 19, 2017 16:22
OT was previously the vice president to Mmoni Segopolo who did not seek re-election. Lesego Molemogi is the new vice president as he was also unopposed. Elections were only for the two positions at the first elective congress, which was addressed by Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Maclean Letshwiti. Letshwiti said he had doubts that the welfare of football players in the country has improved.
He said in his 12 months as the BFA president, he has travelled around the country and expressed doubts that players’ welfare is up to the required standard. “Players are the most important stakeholders in the game.
During the awards ceremony, it is the administrators that shine and not the product. I urge the football people to change the status quo so that football can be run by football people,” he said.
He said football people must come and take their rightful place in the game. Letshwiti also revealed that his association has met all the requirements to start a new intermediaries system that will protect free movement of the players. He also said the BFA will be adopting the standard contract which the football fraternity has been advocating for in the past years.
He said the contract amongst others, should include salaries, insurance and medical cover. He said the issue of disputes regarding contracts between players and clubs taking long would be a thing of the past since they have made provision for the National Dispute Resolution Chamber (NDRC) in line with FIFA requirements.
“We are finalising the proposal by FUB to have a charity tournament to raise resources for the players’ needs from medical to insurance among other things,” he said.
“We will also be very firm in our application of rules regarding the welfare of players and a lot of proposals have been covered in our proposed play rules and regulations.”
He also took time to apologise for the tragedy that saw the game lose two players while on duty. Township Rollers’ speedy winger, Gofaone Tiro and Santa Green player, Leatile Setabosigo collapsed and were later pronounced dead.
“I sincerely apologise to you and reaffirm my commitment to creating a conducive environment for you,” he said. Former FIFA development officer, Ashford Mamelodi said the establishment of the FUB in 2010 was a welcome development for Botswana football.
He urged the union to take responsibility and give the BFA the support in protecting the players and their general welfare. “I hear you are not signatories to the players’ contracts.
How do you ensure that players do not become paupers after retirement and that their medical insurance is well taken care of,” he said.
Mamelodi said he was worried by the huge disparities between the number of clubs affiliated to the association and the number of qualified coaches especially at the development stage. “FUB should leave no stone unturned as far as sport governance is concerned,” he said.