Khama presents 10 000 flags
President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama on Friday presented the national soccer team, the Zebras Supporters Club with more than 10 000 miniature Botswana flags as a symbol of his relentless support for the development of football in the country.
The Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Mr David Fani commended the President whom he described as an ardent supporter of the country’s national teams.
“You have demonstrated your support and commitment to our football in so many ways. Your presence here this afternoon is further testimony of this commitment to the development of football in our country. I take it that there is no one who needs to be reminded that his Excellency’s support to football goes back many years during which he has been very helpful to the game.” Mr Fani highlighted that Gen. Khama had assisted in so many ways on matters pertaining to the national soccer team.
He recalled a recent incident where the President mobilized resources from the business sector that were used as bonuses to motivate players during competitive matches.
He said even though the national team was administratively and technically faced with several challenges, the President’s unwavering support would soon bring back the good old days when the Zebras were truly a household name.
“The BFA National Executive Committee (NEC) is studying the situation of the Zebras and other national teams and we will soon make an announcement on the way forward. We are very much aware of the challenges with regard to our teams that we have to address, in order to lift their performance,” he explained.
Presenting the national flags, the President and also patron of the senior national team, said it was his hope that the enthusiasm of the Supporters Club would soon be seen as something they had been accustomed to.
“Support does not come as a form of financial input or strong administration, but supporters are the most vital stakeholders,” said Gen. Khama. He said if the team does not enjoy a massive support base it would not be credible and that would reflect on its performance. The chairperson of the Zebras Supporters Club, Mr Zicco Koontse said they were excited by the gift from the President.
He vowed to mobilize all the branches around the country to rally behind national teams in their forthcoming assignments.
He said they had already established cordial relationships with other supporters clubs in the region notably the renowned Bloemfontein Celtics FC supporters club in South Africa.