The new Botswana Football Association (BFA) president Tariq Babitseng has hit the ground running in his new role at the helm of local football.
Barely a week into his reign, the BFA president is taking big steps on his mission to restore dignity and ethical conduct in the local football. According to sources close to him he will be lobbying his colleagues in the national executive committee and regional structure to change the contentious presidential term in the constitution.
Prior to the just ended elections, there were dissenting voices against the BFA amendment of the constitution that gave the president maximum of three terms.
“We will have to find out if indeed there was ever discussion pertaining to the term of office and if it was done following the BFA constitution,” Babitseng says when asked whether his regime will change the constitution to two terms.
He further says “if the constitution was not followed then we will have to follow the right one.” The new regime will have to seat, deliberate and decide on what is necessary and advice the BFA structures on the outcome of their decision.
Former BFA, Tebogo Sebego was in the forefront of fighting the amended constitution saying it was illegal done. He argued it was never agreed to by the BFA general assembly. Sebego challenged the new constitution with the registrar of societies.
He believed the then BFA president, MaClean Letshwiti amended the constitution to bid for the third term. His bid for the third term was however unsuccessful as he was voted out of office at the recent BFA elective General Assembly.
“Majority of football people knows that the constitution was not amended legally hence the expectation that Tariq administration will do the needful and change it for the BFA presidents to serve two teams instead of three terms,” a source disclosed.
The youthful Babitseng is also expected to defend the 16 team Botswana Football league against a decision to reduce it to a league of 12 teams. “We have resolved at NEC to leave the teams at 16. There will not be any changes to that effect” Babitseng says.
Contacted for comment on how many teams will relegate at the end of the season, BFL Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bennett Mamelodi said “we will be guided by the new leadership and comply accordingly.”
There was fear that the move to reduce premier league teams will have negative impact on local football.
The proponents of 12 teams’ stream were saying there will be quality in the league and teams will be able to have better prize monies and grants from sponsors because there will be few to share the money. They argued that teams from villages and other places across the country have chance to play in the top league.
