the monitor

Football and controversy's greatest hits

May be one day the leopard will finally change its spots. But do not bet on the comedic Botswana Football Association changing its spots

. You can change the faces but it seems, not the modus operandi at the Lekidi Football Centre. In Animal Farm, when Mr Jones left, there was hope for change, but before the book ends, the old habits return in even more ruthless fashion. At the BFA, the issue of Zebras allowances is as old as the millennials and it has been the elephant in the room for successive BFA administrations. All take to the campaign trail with a simple message of sweeping the controversy-riddled association clean, but end up battling the same old demons. Tariq Babitseng was jettisoned into the top football seat on September 14, but the jury is still out. He has faced little scrutiny, partly due to the fact that he replaced an administration that had grown authoritarian and almost every football stakeholder wanted to see its back. Again, Babitseng's arrival was overshadowed by a significant milestone when the country saw a change of political power for the first time in 58 years.

The BFA president, has therefore operated under the radar, often escaping the preying eyes of the media. But sooner or later, he has to face difficult questions as events at Lekidi Centre point to a leopard struggling to change its spots. But are there any attempts to shed the spots in the first place? The football family voted in the Babitseng administration feeling he could be a decisive driver of change. What has Babitseng done thus far to warrant the confidence of the scores that handed him the right to preside over the administration of local football? The president's defence force would be quick to say any critics belong to the previous regime and are therefore enemies of progress. But that is immaterial and should not stop critical questions. Babitseng and his executive should be prepared to face criticism, walk up to the mirror and have an honest look.

Editor's Comment
Depression is real; let's take care of our mental health

It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up