Our bid process is transparent – CAF
Mqondisi Dube | Saturday October 7, 2023 06:00
On Wednesday, the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport, and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare accused CAF of “shifting goalposts” during the process of determining the bid winners. East African countries Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with a joint bid, won the rights to organise the 2027 tournament, meaning Botswana’s effort failed at the first attempt.
But Botswana authorities feel CAF should have done better, particularly pointing to the mother body’s failure to publicise results from the executive committee’s vote by a secret ballot. Additionally, sources said Rakgare was not pleased that a report presented to the CAF executive committee by assessors’ who visited bidding countries, did not influence the outcome.
“Rakgare is of the view that the report should have had a bearing amid reports that Botswana, according to the assessors, Botswana came second behind Algeria,” a source close to the developments said. However, the CAF executive committee had the final say through a secret ballot in Cairo last week Wednesday. Responding to Mmegi Sport inquiries, CAF’s head of television and communication, Luxolo September said their process is above board. “All exco (CAF executive committee) are privy to the results.
This includes independent auditors,” September said. “CAF invited independent assessors and auditors to conduct the voting process. It was conducted in a free and transparent manner,” he added. On concerns that the assessors' report could not have much bearing on the outcome, September said their document feedback is only meant to direct the CAF executive committee, which takes the final decision. “The report was to assist the exco and inform them of facts. Exco, however, has a statutory duty to exercise its discretion,” September said.
Despite the misgivings, Rakgare said they will not appeal or engage CAF over the handling of the bid. Reports indicate that the independent assessors who visited Botswana in August had cited the absence of a five-star hotel as one of the grey areas. Additionally, there were concerns over Botswana’s ability to construct three new facilities between 2024 and 2026 in readiness for the 2027 tournament.