This comes after Makgalemele told journalists on Tuesday that the salaries of two national team coaches - David Bright and Colwyn Rowe's - should be confidential. Makgalemele's statement said the BFA raises more money for football from the private sector and membership connections such as FIFA than they raise from government.
Pheto reacted in Parliament yesterday that though it is true that football in Botswana is not run by government, it is important to note that government provides annual financial assistance amounting to P25, 322, 520 to the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) for disbursement to its affiliates including BFA.
Pheto further said that sport and politics are intertwined and acknowledged that members of parliament have the right to scrutinise how public institutions such as the BFA utilise funds allocated to them through the ministry.
He added that football matches are played on government facilities such as stadia. "It is therefore perfectly in order and expected of me to inform Parliament and the public about how public funds are utilised. In fact this year alone, an amount of P7.4 million has been disbursed to the BFA through the BNSC by my ministry," he said.
