BFA slashes deficit and eyes bright future with financial reform and football revival

In a country where football has often been a tale of missed chances and tight margins, the Botswana Football Association (BFA) appears to be writing a new chapter—one of discipline, ambition, and, according to president Oabile Babitseng, a long-overdue sense of financial control. At a press briefing this week, Babitseng revealed that the BFA has cut its deficit from P5 million to just P300,000 in under a year. “It’s discipline, it’s planning, it’s partnerships,” he said. “We’ve tightened our expenditure, grown our commercial revenue, and built stronger relationships with our sponsors. We’re not just trying to stay afloat; we’re preparing to sail.” The long-term aim is to break even in 2026, with a surplus thereafter, which Babitseng said will be fully reinvested into football development, particularly at the grassroots and youth level. A key part of this strategy is Lekidi Investments, the BFA’s commercial arm. The company will commercialise the association’s assets, develop land across Botswana, upgrade infrastructure, including hostels, and attract investment. “The idea is simple: to make football financially independent. That’s how we secure its future,” Babitseng said. The BFA has shifted from short-term financial fixes to a deliberate, long-term approach. Partnerships with Thomas Hall, Digi Worx, Mascom, and Black Mobile have led to initiatives such as SMS competitions and football trivia, which raise funds while keeping fans engaged. “These are not just gimmicks,” Babitseng said. “They’re bridges between fans and the game, and they help raise money too.” On the field, Botswana’s women’s national team, the Mares, competed at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, finishing third in their group. CAF awarded the team $150,000 in participation funds, half of which will be paid to the players as a bonus during their homecoming on August 20. “When you work hard for your country, Botswana football will recognise and reward you,” Babitseng said. The Zebras, Botswana’s men’s national team, are preparing for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with fixtures against Algeria, Mozambique, Uganda, and Guinea. “These games are not just fixtures,” Babitseng said. “They’re platforms to show Africa and the world the strength, skill, and determination of our national team.” Structural reforms are also underway. The BFA is modernising its constitution to align with FIFA and CAF standards, addressing governance, dispute resolution, and accountability. Regulations covering player transfers, league rules, and competitions are being revised, with the constitution acting as a central framework. “For the BFA, the numbers are finally beginning to add up,” Babitseng said. “Now, the real test begins: turning those numbers into a lasting football renaissance.”

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