German expert starts work at Lekidi

The Botswana Football Association (BFA) this week officially unveiled the long awaited German technical expert, Dr. Carolin Bruan, who is expected to be in Botswana for two years. Dr. Bruan is highly skilled in matters of sports, including football.

Dr Bruan is expected to travel to all the 17 regions of the BFA to support the formation and education of youth representative teams. The  technical  expert is expected to ensure that coaching education and talent identification are of paramount importance in her mandate.

Addressing the media at a press conference in Gaborone this week, BFA CEO Mfolo said Dr Bruan commands an illustrious background in her country, having been a youth and women’s coach. “She has organised courses and held seminars for coaches. She is a doctor in sports science and we are delighted to have a person of her calibre in our midst.” Dr Bruan’s mandate include working closely with the BFA Technical Director, Serame Letsoaka, advising BFA in fields of basic and further training of coaches, including the creation of the coach education system, creating and implementing a program to improve football structure.

For her part Dr Bruan said she has worked in different countries including Gambia for football and academic reasons. “I came here because I saw so many people working hard to improve football in Botswana. I have a PhD and the highest football license in Germany.” Bruan said she is a member of numerous boards in her native country and happens to hold a special CV back in Germany. “Botswana is a special country and I want to develop a structure in Botswana where people can have great football.”

Meanwhile, the BFA Technical Director, Serame Letsoaka said there will be no clash of roles between him and Dr Bruan at Lekidi. Letsoaka said the expert will be focusing on school and regions where she will be developing coaches.  “This week we are expecting 60 coaches to be in training at Lekidi. The   expert is expected to be travelling around the country as we do not have enough coaches. It is important that we take the course to the people.”

Dr Bruan’s arrival follows a recent visit by another German Football development expert, Christoph Rocholl, who was tasked with coming up with a model of structural development of football talent, from the grass roots in the country. Some of Rochel’s findings included the undeveloped local football pitches and lack of infrastructure. The expert further said football education was severely lacking in the country and he recommended an expert to come and assist in local football structures.