FIFA expert to assess planned new National Stadium

The project estimated to cost P3.21 Billion is aimed at meeting FIFA standards to host major international football events to improve the country’s sporting profile. Speaking to Mmegi Online, the Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng said FIFA made the pledge when he visited the FIFA-Africa office in Rabat, Morocco on Monday, accompanied by Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Tariq Babitseng. “We met with the general secretary, Matthias Graftstrom, and FIFA’s deputy chief member association’s officer and director of member associations Africa, Gelson Fernandes. On behalf of Botswana and sport fraternity, I expressed our gratitude to FIFA for the support they have given Botswana to date,” he said.

Kelebeng said they also discussed many areas of interest including grassroots development, infrastructure development, corporate social responsibility, potential partnership and investment opportunities. He said the FIFA secretariat has since committed to support Botswana’s grassroots and infrastructure development. While Botswana lost the bid to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Namibia to the East African trio of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the government has signaled its commitment to building top-tier sport infrastructure.