Thuso broadens cover as it undergoes name change

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Wednesday December 15, 2010 00:00

The schemes, which are meant to provide solutions for players wherever their club falls short; includes funeral costs, legal fees, physiotherapy, and medical aid.

TSWA, which was formerly known as Thuso Footballers Society (TFS), says the outfit was established because the health, legal and emotional needs of athletes are not taken seriously by clubs most of the time. The Chairperson of TSWA, Caroline Mogapi, says athletes often find themselves in uncompromising situations because they lack such services. Mogapi says in extreme cases, athletes' clubs cannot cover their athletes and their families when they die.

'We understand that clubs and players may not be making enough money, which is why we decided to establish our convenient scheme,' she says. 

The TSWA scheme comprises a full package and a half package. The full package, which has a joining fee of P350 and a monthly premium of P250 a person, covers funeral, legal, physiotherapy and medical aid. The half package consists of funeral and legal cover and has a joining fee of P100 and a premium of P60 a month per person.

Mogapi says the packages are reasonably priced in order to accommodate as many athletes as possible, 'considering that most of them, if not all, are underpaid'. She says athletes should find the legal cover particularly useful. It is divided into two sections - one for the athlete and the other for the club.  The athletes' section details their rights and ensures that the contract is adhered to. 'This includes assisting players to fully understand their contract and to determine whether they agree or disagree with its terms,' Mogapi explains. The club section entails the obligations of the club to the player and focuses on the equal treatment of players. 'But it also gives a club the right to discipline its players should they engage in things that pose a threat to their health and lives, such as alcohol and drugs,' Mogapi says.

Other benefits of the schemes include unlimited access to social workers for counselling on personal matters and on issues such as HIV/Aids. The scheme is open to all Batswana athletes, including those under the age of 18 who can join with the permission of their parents. It is also open to retired athletes. Mogapi says the key object of TSWA cover schemes is to ensure that players in Botswana are taken seriously. 'Sports is like any other career and we need such schemes to ensure we reach our objective of producing professionals,' she points out.