On Monday Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development (MYSC), Tumiso Rakgare revealed the government’s plan to help the elite and second-tier leagues with player’s salary subsidies respectively.
Minister Rakgare stated that 25 players of all the 16 teams in the BTC premiership will be paid P2, 500 whilst first division players will each receive P1, 500 for the months of April. May and June.
Teams were expected to submit the required documentation for verification and due processes this week.
The Minister said it was inevitable for government to intervene as sports was the first discipline to be affected by Covid-19, citing the Mares Under 17 trip to Morocco that never materialized.
The Mares were scheduled to face their Moroccan counterparts for a return leg of the FIFA World Cup qualifier in March.
He further revealed that the subsidy is part of the P70 million set aside by the ministry to cushion the impact of Covid-19.
“The subsidy is only for Batswana players, technical and office staff and monies will be directly deposited to player’s bank accounts to avoid situations where teams might use such funds for their daily expenses,” he said.
He further revealed that referees will be assisted through the FIFA relief fund as agreed with BFA.
Letshwiti hailed the intervention, which he said will cushion the effects of the pandemic on the socio- economic lifestyles of players and technical members involved in running of the clubs.
“This will also go a long way in giving club leaders a reprieve during this challenging time,” he said.
The BFA President said club leaders and owners are custodians of football events and this financial assistance is critical in sustaining players and eventually the clubs they represent.
“The BFA is truly humbled by this noble gesture of unity. We have since availed P40,000 to BPL clubs as a reprieve to help clubs mitigate these devastating consequences,” he saud.
He further said, together with their partners, including government, they continue to discuss sustainable means to get football out of the woods.
“We truly are encouraged by the posture adopted by Honorable Minister Rakgare in finding the most reasonable and practical solution to the problems football faces in the country,” Letshwiti said.
