FUB seeks subscription fees to stay afloat
BG SPORT: How was the congress and what was the main focus or purpose of the Congress?
Masaseng: The congress plays a vital role in bringing footballers together to discuss important matters and make decisions that can impact on their profession and collective interests. During the just- ended congress, FUB delegates had the opportunity to voice their opinions, share ideas, and work towards improving the conditions and opportunities for fellow footballers in the country.
BG SPORT: Were there any significant decisions or changes made during the congress?
Masaseng: The congress discussed various topics such as player welfare, contracts, working conditions, industry insurance, and player-centred development programmes.
Player representatives from different clubs shared their experiences, and insights with the aim of making positive changes for the footballing community. The congress, which also serves as a platform for networking and building a strong sense of unity among footballers, also offered players an occasion to celebrate achievements and address challenges collectively, ultimately contributing to the growth and development of football in the country.
BG SPORT: Were they any updates provided on the financial state of FUB and any plans for future investments or initiatives?
Masaseng: Every year without fail, the union presented its audited financials to the members for comments and adoption. This is a governance process that must be maintained every year to promote transparency. However, there has been an overreliance on one source of income, which is the grant from our mother body.
Since the formation of the union, players have not been paying any subscription fees and this has over the years affected the financial position of the union. Certain projects cannot be undertaken because of a lack of funds. The congress has thus resolved that all players in the league must start paying their subscriptions to improve the finances of the union and by extension to make available resources to serve them better.
As a long-term plan, the union would like to invest in building its own home, which would consider the players’ needs. Some players need space for their businesses while others especially out-of-contract players cannot afford training facilities or even office support services and these they can get at subsidized costs once the union sets up its own facilities.
BG SPORT: What measures are in place to ensure that players are treated fairly, and their welfare is protected, including issues like health, safety, player contracts and dispute resolution?
Masaseng: One of the biggest wins for our players was the introduction of the standard contract, which was developed by social partners like FIFA, FIFPRO, the BFA, and the union. It covers all the key areas in professional football, from health, safety and to a well-defined process for recourse in cases where there are contractual disputes.
We recently amended the National Dispute Resolution Chamber (NDRC) regulations to ensure that players get timely justice. For the longest time since the introduction of the dispute resolution mechanisms at the BFA, players have not really benefited from the intended process. We have now placed our hopes in the hands of the custodian of the game to serve justice since all challenges have been dealt with.
BG SPORT: Are there programs or initiatives in place to support the career development and off field wellbeing of players such as education, financial literacy or mental health support?
Masaseng: The union has a clear agenda to facilitate constructive discussions and provide opportunities for its members to engage actively even beyond the field of play. Our plan is to empower our members with soft skills. The program aims to improve their mental, academic, and emotional health and equip them with vital social and life skills.
Through this, we hope to shape how they would respond to situations they may encounter daily to make informed decisions that may impact their lives positively. You will recall that we got full scholarships from Botho University, we are about to announce another partnership with yet another institution, and we keep sending some of our members to attend short courses, we have had a financial literacy program and currently offer psychosocial support to our members. All these are aimed at promoting mental well-being and competence in athletes as they face the realities of life and preparing them for life after football.
BG SPORT: Are there any pending player welfare cases that the Football Union Botswana is currently addressing, what are the issues involved?
Masaseng: For better service, we have proposed to the BFA, the principle of having the club licensing First Instance Body (FIB) assess teams after the NDRC has disposed of all cases reported before the start of a licensing cycle.
This will allow licensing system to reflect the true picture on the ground. We have noted an occurrence where clubs would forever default on players and salaries, yet they will be qualified to keep playing in the league. We have reported several cases at the National Dispute Resolution Chamber (NDRC) ranging from unlawful termination of contracts to overdue payables.
Generally, it is the failure of clubs to honour contracts in instances where players are injured whilst on duty. Some players lose their jobs after sustaining injuries and are left in the lurch without any form of compensation.
BG SPORT: How transparent is the FUB about handling of player welfare cases and are there mechanisms in place for players to appeal decisions or provides feedback?
Masaseng: Players report their own cases to the union, which in turn submits same to the Botswana Football Association (BFA) judicial bodies. They are then updated on what is needed or when their cases could be heard. Once cases are reported at the BFA judicial bodies, players are free to make inquiries on their own to ascertain if there is any progress.
From the union side, we share every information we receive from the judicial bodies with the players as and when it reaches our office. The appeal process for any case lodged by any player can only be done once the relevant judicial body has made a pronouncement on that particular matter.