Clubs affiliated to Nhabe Regional Football Association (NRFA) have decried lack of funding by the regional football association.
The clubs raised their grievances during the NRFA Elective General Assembly which was held in Maun this past Saturday. The teams lamented that lack of funding impedes their daily operations that would facilitate growth and competitiveness.
An official from Gumare Westside Spurs Football Club, Kgosikebatho Mojuta said time has come for the stream teams to be funded to keep up with the demand and challenges of running football clubs.
He mentioned that the 29 clubs in the Gumare, Shakawe and Maun streams contribute sufficiently to the coffers of NRFA, adding that part of the money should be used to fund the clubs.
“We contribute registrations and transfer fees to the region every season and that alone can at least help us if the region can only understand the situation that we are faced with as clubs back home,” he pointed out.
That as it may, Mojuta is also of the view that besides seeking funding from the regional association, time has also come for all the 29 clubs affiliated to the region to be registered as companies in order for them to be able to attract sponsorship from potential investors.
Shakawe Stream Chairperson, Keneilwe Banks also appealed for financial assistance from the regional association, to support the stream committees for efficient operations.
He highlighted that Shakawe steam has 8 clubs and managing them without adequate funding has always resulted in local football failing in its desire objective of growth.
Responding to the concerns, NRFA Chairperson Norman Sebele noted that his committee is aware of the financial challenges faced by the clubs indicating that they have since engaged with corporate partners appealing for league sponsorship.
“We are already at an advanced stage in our negotiations with one potential partner for a long term sponsorship agreement that will enable us to fund our clubs in the region,” Sebele revealed.
Form 1 big team in each village of Shakawe, Gumare and Maun, teams that are not into tribalism, nor football politics and look for a sponsorship in the many companies like Lodge Builders Botswana. My humble advice as former secretary of the region.