After months of huffing and puffing, campaign teams in lobby lists for positions in the Botswana Football Associaition National Executive Committee (BFA NEC) will finally know the outcome after a virtual elective congress scheduled for Saturday.
BFA chief executive officer, Mfolo Mfolo announced last week that following the postponement of the ordinary general assembly gathering previoulsy scheduled for 22nd August 2020, the NEC at itse meeting of 17 September 2020 resolved that the 2020 Ordinary General Assembly be held on the 10 October 2020. “The Ordinary General Assembly shall take [place through virtual means at the following areas; Jwaneng for structures in the Greater Kgalagadi and Gantsi area; Gaborone for structures within Greater Gaborone area; Palapye for structures within the Greater palapye area and Selibe Phikwe, Francistown for structures within Greater Francistown, Boteti, Maun and Chobe area,” wrote Mfolo, explaining that the decisions were taken by NEC exercising its powers in terms of Article 27.2 of the BFA Constitution.
The number of people who would ordinarily attend the BFA assembly is well over 100 delegates, far exceeding the restricted persons per gathering. The attendants would normally include delegates, members of NEC and those of the electoral committee board, standing committee, associate partners, BNSC representative as well as football veterans.
Stringent Covid-19 protocols set by government dictated that (a) meetings, workshops or a conferences shall not have more than 75 persons in attendance at any time and also (b) a person shall not travel across Covid zones for purposes of such similar gatherings.
Faced with a challenge of how their delegates would be allowed by health authorities to travel across various Covid19 zones to attend the OGA initially scheduled for Francistown, BFA finally resolved to hold a virtual gathering. Seventeen (17) regions from around the country as well as other BFA structures comprising of Women Football, National First Divisions and the Premier League will have their delegates attend the virtual general assembly.
Elections for the BFA NEC will pit Team Letshwiti led by incumbent Maclean Letshwiti against Team Sebego led by former BFA President Tebogo Sebego and Team Malesu led by former BFA CEO Ookeditse Malesu. Despite challenges posed by Covid19 restrictions, the three teams have intensified their campaigns through digital platforms and social media to reach out to delegates to elect them to office. Letshwiti, Sebego and Malesu are contesting the presidency of Botswana Football Association (BFA). After being disqualified in the initial vetting process, Malesu and Sebego were later given a lifeline by the BFA electoral appeals committe when they were reinstated in the race by overturning an earlier decision.
The Candidates
1. Team MalesuS
Ookeditse Malesu
Ngele Gabriel Ngele VP1
Solly Ramochothwane VP2
Women Representative
Joy Setshedi
Additional members
Theresa Hirschfield-Mosetse,
Davies Mlungisi Kopi
Tokyo Modise
2. Team Maclean
Maclean Letshwiti [President]
Pelotshweu Marshlow Motlogelwa VP1
Masego Ntshingane VP2
Women’s representative
Tsoseletso Magang
Additional members
Alec Fela
Chandy Moruti
Tico Marenga Kamati
3. Team Sebego
Tebogo Sebego [President]
Maokaneng Bontshetse VP1
Senky Sesinyi VP2
Women’s Representative
Itsholeng Disang
Additional members
Carlos Sebina
Marcos Letebele
Kesego Okie
BNSC support
The BFA virtual Congress follows a similar virtual ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) convened by Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) held on 10th SEPTEMBER 2020. Addressing the meeting, CHAIRPERSON OF BNSC MARUMO MORULE said covid19 poses a threat to humanity in many dimensions including human health and has stifled sport activity. “The world is faced with an unprecedented catastrophe of the Corona Virus that has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. We are advised by medical authorities to take personal and public health preventative measures, some of which may be difficult, unpopular and painful, especially in sectors like ours where there is extensive contact or exchange of equipment,” he said.
Therefore, BNSC resolved to hold in abeyance all sport related international travel and hosting of international sport events as a preventative measure thus adversely affecting athletes and others in sport. Many other international sport authorities cancelled their events. Morule said as Botswana Sport, BNSC made attempts to cushion some of the effects by setting up the COVID-19 Relief fund introduced in Sport.
“We acknowledge that many more people and structure needed support than those we were able to assist. While this might not have been enough, we are aware that International Sport Bodies are also providing some form of relief for which we are grateful. We will continue to assess the situation and where possible allow both training and competitions. Please be advised to take preventative measures as advised,” Morule advised.