Last month, the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) informed the BFA it would halt issuing venues for free to football and the highest charge is set at P15, 000, while the lowest is at P3, 500. The use of 'premium venues' the National Stadium, Obed Itani Chilume Stadium, and the Lobatse Sports Complex cost between P7, 500 and P15, 000 for category A matches and this charge does not include cleaning services. The BNSC has amongst other reasons cited the escalating costs to maintain these facilities. The umbrella body said advertising rights will remain with the sport commission.
Speaking in a press conference on Monday, Babitseng hinted that the new BFA leadership will engage with the BNSC to seek the use of the sporting facilities free of cost. He said the elite clubs are on a financial recovery path and would struggle to keep up with the fees. "The reason why we have not been utilising your (BNSC) patriotism to the sport, where we were given stadiums for free is because we had dirt on us. So we will wash it off with our NEC (national executive committee) and we will come back to you (BNSC) that our clubs are resuscitating. We are on a mend period but we do not have the funds. That will come through your office and we will be knocking at your door because I do not think we are at a stage where we can afford (stadium fees)," Babitseng said. For his part, the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare, said government would be willing to assist football authorities and would need a committed setup from the BFA. "It is unfortunate that now the door is closed. The BNSC has said they do not have the money to maintain these facilities as the clubs have been using these facilities without paying anything. On the other part, you need to have motivation as the government, so the president we will be looking up to you, so you can organise yourselves and also the teams. This is just to see if we are on the same path and if you see the importance of government's input," said Rakgare.
The National Stadium, the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium and the Lobatse Sports Complex are the three government-owned stadiums in the FNB Premiership schedule. The list also includes the Royal Aria Stadium, Dinaledi Football Academy Stadium, VTM Stadium, Francistown Council Stadium, and Gaborone United Training Ground, a new entrant, ahead of the new season that kicks off next weekend.
