BFA receives P5.8m for women’s league
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday November 11, 2024 14:42
During a press briefing this week, Babitseng said the BFA has received $290, 000 (approximately P3.8 million) from FIFA to be directed towards the running of the women's national league. He said in addition, the BFA received P2 million from the government in a bid to aid the formation of the national women's football league. The women's game has been played in regions over the last five seasons and there have been calls to transition to a national league.
In early September, the BFA announced the formation of the national league to be played in the 2024–2025 football season. The new league format would have seen teams divided into north and south streams in what would be a two First Division League. The top two teams in the regional league would secure places in the First Division whilst a four-team playoff championship was to be used to determine national champions. However, on October 21, the BFA changed its decision and announced that the new women's league will be played in the 2025–2026 season. As per the communication, the postponement was to ensure adequate preparation for the establishment of the league and ensure a smooth transition of the league from the First Division. 'As you recall there was that memo but we have rescinded that memo and now it will be from next season, so that when people win now, they would know what they will be doing next season,' Babitseng said.
He added that the formation of the national women's football and the widespread participation in youth football has been one of the initiatives that has been lagging in the BFA action plan. Babitseng said to ensure a smooth running of these, the BFA has secured resources to build structures, amongst others Kang, Maun, and Mahalapye.
The BFA recently held a basic first aid level one course for women's clubs in the country. The women's game has seen a significant participation increase in recent years as in 2021, 54 teams were playing in the regional leagues in only five of the 17 regions. In 2024, 14 regions are playing women's football with 3, 300 registered players.