There are fears that the Botswana Football Association (BFA) C License course scheduled for September 12 in Shakawe will attract few coaches as many were inconvenienced by the previous postponement of the course that was initially supposed to commence in August 15th ending on September 19th.
To the disappointment of many local coaches who had already prepared to attend the course in large numbers, BFA Instructor Tshepo Mphukuthi has previously explained that the course was postponed due to technical issues.
Prior to the postponement, a number of coaches had already applied for leave days at their respective work places and the deferment messed up their schedule and chances of getting more days for the course.
In an interview with Times Sport, Mohembo United Women Football Team Coach, Samuel Timothy lamented that the postponement inconvenienced him as he had previously asked for a month leave period from his employer to attend.
“We have used up our leave days staying at homes after the course was rescheduled to September 12 and we now have few days left to go back to work while some of us have even already resumed work,” he added.
The course was anticipated to train more than 30 coaches for the period of 4 weeks.
The course follows the CAF B License one which was completed in Maun last month, with 20 Coaches awaiting their certificates from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) by the end of September as revealed by BFA instructors.
In an interview, Course Instructor Tshepo Mphukuthi said they have not received any communication from the region regarding the issue and to their own understanding the training is going on as planned from September 12, adding that all of their Instructors will be available for the period.
“All the coaches who will come for the training will be awarded the CAF C License by the federation which is equivalent to BFA C License which will thereafter give them the opportunity to advance to CAF B License after completing the training,” he added.
For her part, Nhabe Regional Football Association Secretary Maipelo Malatlhe said though the course was cancelled, she is however disappointed by coaches who do not take their careers seriously when it comes to such.
She is of the view that most coaches in Shakawe feels like they are doing a favor to the region and their teams by participating in the courses. She called on coaches to take the opportunity seriously because BFA has decided to pay for their training fees, unlike before.
Malatlhe added that most of the coaches in Shakawe failed to pay for their catering fees of P400 each citing challenges of lack of funds from their respective clubs. She said the catering fee is entirely the individual’s responsibility not that of the clubs.
