Palapye is a convenient geographic confluence and is increasingly becoming an influential spot for tipping moments. Last week Saturday presented another opportunity for the town to claim a small part in the history of football. After eight years of continuous rule, Letshwiti was hoping to continue with his winning streak that would have landed him an unprecedented third term at the helm of the Botswana Football Association (BFA). It was going to be a first, as no president has managed three consecutive terms. In fact, in 2020 Letshwiti became the first BFA leader to get two consecutive terms, but attempts for a third fell flat on their face. The man responsible for handing Letshwiti the defeat was Babitseng, who is no stranger to the Lekidi Centre corridors having been part of the masterminds of 'Friends of Football' 2012 win that removed David Fani.
After the 2012 elections, Babitseng occupied the BFA vice president (administration) seat but two years later, he was suspended following the Zebras trip to Guinea Bissau. Babitseng was the head of delegation and found himself in hot soup after being accused of misappropriating contingency funds amounting to P72, 000. Five years later, as chairperson of Extension Gunners, Babitseng was suspended over P30, 000 which was missing from the club's accounts. He was, however, cleared of any wrongdoing. Babitseng has rode the storms as on Saturday, he ascended to football's top post, arguably the finest moment in his chequered administrative career. Football's history books will record Babitseng as a man who halted Letshwiti's long rule. It could be equated to one of the Bible's enduring stories of David and Goliath. Letshwiti had moulded himself into a strongman, accused by his critics of overseeing an authoritarian regime. Babitseng's entry on Saturday presented a fresh start for football but he faces the daunting task of placating a long-suffering colony.
