Veselin's parting shot

| Friday December 17, 2010 00:00

 

He tells correspondent THATO KALA that Botswana will certainly reap the fruits of investing into youth development

Mmegi Sport: How was your stay in Botswana?

Veselin: I have been in Botswana since 2002 and it has been a great experience. I am very happy to have been here. The people of Botswana and the association have been great to me. I was very happy to serve Botswana.

Mmegi Sport: What influenced your decision to shift to junior development after a successful stint with the Zebras?

Veselin: As coach of the national team, I could feel that there was something lacking and I noticed it was development. Junior development is quite crucial for purposes of continuity and is key if a country wants to achieve results in future. I really wanted to do something that would hold Botswana football in the long-term.

Basically, that is what influenced my decision to focus on development.

Mmegi Sport: When you came to Botswana in 2002, did it ever cross your mind that you would end up working with juniors?

Veselin: I like to try new things and for some people, working with seniors means they can be appreciated and recognised. But I know the importance [of] developing [the] youth. I know that without junior development, it is not realistic to expect anything. So I have always appreciated that working with the juniors is equally important as coaching a senior team.

Mmegi Sport: Do you feel enough has been done in terms of tapping raw talent in the country?

Veselin: We can identify a lot of talent and I have no doubt that Botswana football will improve tremendously in the near future. Of course, there are many things that we should improve.

I feel the Memorandum of Agreement that BFA entered into with colleges, primary and secondary schools, will go a long way in developing football talent in this country. Hopefully, in the near future, academic and sport-related activities will be synchronised. It would be nice to see children with talent making a living out of sport. So the agreement memorandum gives me optimism that local football will grow tremendously in the coming years.

Mmegi Sport: Despite doing well with the Zebras, the team never qualified for any major tournament. What is the difference between the team that you coached and the current one that is on the verge of qualifying for AFCON 2012?

Veselin: First of all, I would like to congratulate the current team as well as coach Stanley Tshosane and his assistants for a great achievement. They have made everyone proud as they are one step from qualification. The improvement in FIFA rankings is a fantastic achievement. I believe this will give Batswana confidence when they go to future competitions. I would attribute the current success to continuity. It is one general strategy that we have in our development plan. Remember Tshosane worked with the national team before I came and many players were there during that time. The same players were there when I was the senior coach and Tshosane was my assistant. He is now head coach and has a perfect understanding with the players.

The players know him very well, save for a few who are new in the team. So this compatibility is very important for achievement. Again, half of the current players have a lot of international experience because they played in previous AFCON qualifying campaigns.

There are a few players who came from previous Olympic and Under 20 teams, which shows that there is logical continuity.

Mmegi Sport: Looking at the current team, do you feel we have what it takes to get to the AFCON and make an impression?

Veselin: The most important thing is that there is team spirit and they play as a unit. We have a few professional players in South Africa but they do not act like superstars. They show humility and combine well with locally-based colleagues. With such a team, it is possible to achieve anything. When the qualifiers started, Tunisia were favourites but all that has changed. So when we play to our full potential, become fully engaged, focused and display a fighting spirit, everything is possible. I feel the Zebras can achieve a lot.

Mmegi Sport: What more do you suggest should be done?

Veselin: I think BFA should use the same strategy and continue to invest in youth development and youth teams (Under-15, Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23). From each generation, we pick the most talented players and upgrade them. I think it will pay dividends in future. Any possibility to participate in international competitions will be helpful to the young players. It is how we facilitate continuity.

Mmegi Sport: When are we likely to start seeing the fruits of your work?

Veselin: We have a few talented players that are promising and we hope they will be ripe for senior national team action very soon. We also have a lot of young players who are in the ages of 14, 15 and 16 and I think in four years' time, some of them will be well-known.

Mmegi Sport: Indications are that you got a new job in South Africa. Is this true?

Veselin: No, that is not true. I am going back to Serbia and it is because of family commitments. I have two daughters Kristina (15) and Katarina (9). It was a great job that I had here and I enjoyed it very much. It required me to travel and it took me away from home.

That is why I thought of looking for something else. Probably in Serbia, I will lecture in a school of football coaches, which will allow me to spend more time with [my] family.

Mmegi Sport: How do your daughters feel about your decision to leave Botswana?

Veselin: They enjoyed their stay in Botswana and they have made a lot of friends here.

Botswana will forever remain in our memories. Hopefully, one day we will return as tourists to see this beautiful country again.

Mmegi Sport: Your parting words to Batswana?

Veselin: I am very proud and honoured to have been here for eight years. As I said, this has been a great life experience for me and my daughters. I wish Botswana to continue developing in all aspects including education and sports.