The Botswana Gazette
FIFA grassroot programme launched PDF Print E-mail
Written by OAITSE MATHALA
Wednesday, 26 October 2011 00:00
Mamelodi pleads with Grassroot coaches
The Botswana Football Association in conjunction with the world football governing body, FIFA on Sunday launched a FIFA grassroot programme in the country. This followed the successful completion of the first ever FIFA Grassroot coaching course held at the Lekidi Football Centre last week.
The programme, according to FIFA Development Officer for Southern and East Africa Ashford Mamelodi, is aimed at introducing the young boys and girls to the game of football. Speaking during the official closing ceremony of the two-day course last Friday, Mamelodi congratulated the BFA that “the grassroot programme has finally come to Botswana”.
He pointed out that with the course having come to Botswana, it is a historical milestone but emphasised that it is historical depending on what will be done after the launch of the programme.
Mamelodi implied FIFA has in the previous trained individuals in other countries but the knowledge they had imparted to those individuals ended up going to waste, therefore, argued the participants that they should distribute that valuable knowledge to other structures to make sure the country benefits in the long run. “Now you know what is supposed to be done, we now rely on you guys. We have you guys to make sure things are done the right way,” he said.
The renowned football administrator is of the view that Botswana can be a force to reckon with in the next ten years if the participants show commitment to the programme and disseminate well what they have been taught. “The reason why we won’t qualify in 10 years will be you guys,” he told the participants.
The CAF and FIFA Coaching Instructor, Govinden Thondoo conducted the course. He echoed Mamelodi’s words that the participants of the course are the ones to disseminate this philosophy around their communities and everywhere in Botswana. “Launching the programme is an easy task but what happens after is difficult,” he said, further wishing them success in this adventure.
One of the participants, former Township Rollers defender Aaron Radira assured the FIFA men that the knowledge imparted in them will not go in to waste. “On behalf of my colleagues, I want to assure you that this will not go to waste,” he said. While they are happy to be the first group to attend this course in country, they understand very well that the future of Botswana football lies with them.
With the programme being first launched in Gaborone only, Mamelodi has gone on to say there is need to decentralise the programme. “Don’t ever say we don’t have stadiums, grassroot football can be played anywhere,” he said. He would like to see it being rolled out to other places such as Francistown, Kgalagadi and Kasane. He appealed that the football community and the government to come up with an arrangement that would see the initiation of the ‘National Grassroot Day’.
David Fani, the BFA president hopes the Grassroot programme will fit well with other BFA development programmes such as Re ba bona ha, School of Excellence and the Chappies Little League.
