Selolwane slams BFA over bonuses

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Wednesday January 11, 2012 00:00

 

The Zebras, who are preparing for their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) debut, held a series of meetings with the country's football mother body last week as a follow-up to their remuneration proposal submitted in November last year.But BFA insisted there was no money to meet the players' demands, which included P100, 000 for each squad member who makes the trip to Gabon-Equatorial Guinea AFCON finals.

In an interview with Mmegi Sport on Monday before the team's departure to Cameroon, where the Zebras will acclimatise for 10 days, Selolwane said BFA should have approached Batswana, the corporate sector and other football stakeholders to source funds to reward the players for the historic feat. The SuperSport United star said they were going to the continental showpiece 'with not even a quarter of their proposal'.

'We are going to the AFCON with not even a quarter of the proposal we made,' he said.He explained how they (the players) came up with the proposed figures.

'We researched and spoke to guys from other countries like Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia - the countries around our region, but not South Africa because they are the big boys of the southern region.

'We then discussed and rounded off figures and agreed not to propose an appearance fee like they normally use in Botswana for playing one game for the national team. We rounded off the three games to one bulk as a bonus for making the final 23 and qualifying for AFCON. We also structured bonuses for a win and a draw at the AFCON.

'We wanted to get some sort of reward for qualifying for the first time, a significant reward that we can actually set a base on in terms of our future (because) some of us are at the end of the line. Some are lucky they have a few more years; this game is about being paid - it's a job,' said a visibly emotional Selolwane.

The 34-year-old striker said local football administrators must realise that football is the only source of livelihood for the players. He added that there is need to re-examine everything in terms of administration, football policies and the structure.

Selolwane assured the nation that they would go all out and hoist the country's flag.'We will go out there and represent our families, our loved ones and our country. We are proud Batswana,' he said.But he challenged all football stakeholders to 'take a page from this and prepare better and not expect people to always give and give'.

Selolwane believes he has given his all to the nation in the last 14 years and expressed disappointment over remarks that the Zebras were not patriotic.'Some of us have been there for over a decade and you can still question our loyalty and patriotism to the country? I believe I have given my life to this country, over 14 years going through all ranks and one day when I tell you what I think I deserve, you tell me 'it's ridiculous' and I can 'pack my bags and go home if I don't want'.   You cannot use our loyalty, our patriotism and devotion against us,' he concluded.