Kgotlele, Kraai mum after BFA expose

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO & MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writers | Thursday September 16, 2010 00:00

 

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Shaw Kgathi shocked journalists on Tuesday when he revealed that the BFA has been misleading the nation into thinking that the world football governing body, FIFA, is about to suspend the country because of the constituency tournaments. Instead, FIFA was threatening to report the association to the Leagues' Committee for failure to provide evidence that the tournaments contravene its rules and regulations.

The controversial tournaments are the brainchild of President Ian Khama. They have been drawing criticism from football authorities and politicians arguing it is the president's way of gaining political mileage.

Both Kgotlele and BFA marketing and communications officer, Phakamile Kraai, have been fingered for playing a significant role in reporting Botswana to FIFA. Kgotlele is said to have instructed Kraai to pen a misleading letter to FIFA. But yesterday, the two refused to comment on the matter.

 Kgathi told journalists on Tuesday that BFA president, David Fani had said Kraai wrote a letter to FIFA in December 2008 over the constituency tournaments. Kgathi stated that the BFA president had said Kraai wrote the letter after BFA chief executive officer at the time (Kgotlele) had delegated responsibility to him. The minister said the choice of language used by Kraai did not accurately reflect the BFA's view.

'I do not want to comment on anything concerning the BFA,' Kgotlele told Mmegi Sport yesterday. Kgathi had said that the letter was clearly intended to mislead FIFA into believing that the government was running a parallel league.

Meanwhile, Kgathi told Mmegi Sport that the issue has 'been laid to rest'. 

He said the government does not intend to institute further action following revelations that the BFA deliberately gave false information that the country faced possible suspension from FIFA. 'The argument was that there was no letter from FIFA. (Boyce) Sebetela (BFA vice president) apologised. The BFA has written a letter to FIFA explaining the circumstances (surrounding the constituency tournaments) and the matter has been laid to rest,' Kgathi said.

He stated that it was not within his jurisdiction to dictate what action should be taken against officials who mislead the nation. 'As far as we are concerned, the matter has come to an end,' Kgathi said.