Sometimes it is difficult to know what language to use when speaking to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Botswana, Ian Khama Seretse Khama, for him to understand issues.
When he wants something done, he cares less of the dire consequences that would follow.
To date, the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is in shambles and fingers are pointing at him for his authoritative leadership style.
Now, football, the most popular sport in the country, appears to be Khama’s latest victim due to the President’s hardheadedness.
Football in Botswana might change for the worst in the country if something is not done with immediate effect.
Despite persistent calls warning Khama not to interfere with football development in the country, it does not appear as if he cares to listen.
This is something that might finish his already beleaguered political career once and for all.
The issue is the constituency league that Khama introduced about two years ago.
Khama’s Constituency league has not gone down well with football leaders. From the onset, the football governing body, the Botswana Football Association (BFA), warned President Khama that his initiative goes against the world football governing body, FIFA, unless it is restructured. BFA made it clear that running constituency league from a political office was going to attract the ire of FIFA.
The then President of the BFA, Dikgang ‘Philip’ Makgalemele, tried all diplomatic channels to convince President Khama but to little avail.
Even the incumbent, David Fani, is experiencing what his predecessor had to go through.
The constituency league is now running throughout the country and as was to be expected it has attracted curious interest from FIFA.
What FIFA is saying is that no football competition should run parallel and or independent from recognized football authority.
As such, the best way would be for the competition to fall under the BFA, within the already existing structures.
There are reports that some of the constituency league has interrupted league matches around the country.
There are no structures in place to manage prize money.
This has resulted in instances of abuse.
Even as it is his pet project, there are reports that other teams use the tournaments to go on binge drinking.
We should never lose sight of the fact that one reason used to sell constituency league was that it would keep its adherents away from alcohol.
Was the league under BFA management, there would be set rules and regulations. The target and goals would be clearly spelt out.
For instance, it could be used for kids under certain ages for future development.
Currently, everybody is free to play and some people are even questioning the motive behind the tournament.
This has prompted FIFA to write to the BFA warning them of consequences that are likely to fall Botswana if the constituency league is not stopped.
The obvious consequences would be Botswana’s suspension from all FIFA activities.
This would then mean no matches for the national soccer team, the Zebras. Even local teams poised to participate in Confederation of African Football matches would have to forgo the dream.
This would automatically mean local players would not be marketable.
Even the corporate sector would not give a helping hand to local soccer because their products would not be sellable.
What, however, is of greater concern is President Khama’s recent comments following FIFA’s warning to Botswana.
Khama is reported to have said that FIFA is out of line because the government gives the BFA a lot of money and, as such, they should have a say.
The President should be reminded that while it is true that government gives BFA money, such money is not worth the fallout we are risking with FIFA.
What makes matters even more difficult and complex is the fact that Botswana’s national team, Zebras, are on the verge of making history by qualifying for the African Cup of Nations to be co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Botswana leads a tough group that comprises of African powerhouses like Tunisia and Togo.
So far, Botswana managed to beat Tunisia away and for the three matches they have played they are yet to lose. This is a record that we have never achieved as a country.
By FIFA’s rankings, Botswana is currently sitting at position 93 ÔÇô another record for us.
Imagine if Botswana makes history by qualifying only to be told by FIFA that they are going no-where.
That would lead to a terrible backlash against the President.
President Khama is best advised that while he reins supreme over everything and everyone in Botswana, the same cannot be said about him over FIFA.
