The rise of Ladies Football
The rise in popularity of women football is largely attributed to the national team, The Mares’ debut and their outstanding performance at the immediate past Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament. The women's game is showing signs of progress, and this has been evidenced by the just ended Debswana Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) championships that were held at the National stadium over the weekend.
DTC Botswana has spent a total of P545, 000.00 on the women football championship prizes. The company agreed to invest P1.3million per season for the next three years from 2022. The championships were well organised and marketed, with medals and trophies were awarded to the winners.
The Defending Champions, Double Action Women Football Club, won the DTC Botswana Women’s Football Championship for the second time, walking away with P250 000 after beating Gaborone United, one nil in the final. For finishing on the second position, Gaborone United pocketed P150 000 while Western Dynamites walked away with P100 000 after settling for 3rd place and P50 000 for the fourth placed, Granada FC.
Lesego Radiakanyo, an attacking midfielder from Double action was voted as the player of the Tournament. she played the whole tournament at a high level, scoring two goals and getting assists, she walked away with P15 000 and the title of top goal scorer, sharing P10 000 with Gaborone United forward, Jessica.
Double Action coach, William Monene walked away with P10 000 after she was voted the Coach of the tournament while the Goalkeeper of the tournament, Tlamelo Pheresi of Gaborone united won herself P10 000.
Local woman Football is gaining popularity. The number of teams in the leagues has risen from 47 to 132 in just two seasons while the leagues have increased from six to 11.
By the time Botswana Football Association (BFA) hosted this tournament last year, the finals were hosted at Lekidi Football Centre while this year, the interest of spectators increased, and the games moved to the National stadium. Attendance was good as compared to the past matches with the grandstand fully packed.
BFA Chief Executive Officer, Mfolo Mfolo believes that the progress could reach new heights if more partners would come on board to commercialise women’s Football. Presently, the Diamond Trading Company (DTC) Botswana remains the sole financier of the women’s football.
Mfolo said the association is in a position to introduce the national league after an increase of participation in the women’s game. The women’s league football is currently played at regional level in the country and has has spread throughout the country, in all the BFA blocks, save for the western block.