Regions applaud return of the FA Cup
Nhabe Regional Football Association (NRFA) Chairman, Norman Sebele and Kweneng Regional Football Association (KRFA) Secretary Patrick Lesotlho have applauded the much-awaited and prestigious Orange FA Cup, which they believe will improve the state of football in the country.
Orange FA Cup spectacle was launched last week after six years of recess. Orange has sponsored the tournament with a whopping P12.6 Million for the next three years. The Champions of the tourney will amass P700 000.00 while the runners-up will get P350 000.00, and the semi-finalists will receive P150 000.00 apiece.
The quarter-finalists will be given P60 000.00, and those that reach the last 16 round will get P25 000.00 and the ones toppled at first and second round will get P5 000.00 and P10 000.00 respectively. In a brief interview with BG Sport this week, Sebele said he is exultant about this new development to local football, “It has been a long time without this tournament, in our region we will be represented by two teams, one from Botswana Telecommunications (BTC) Premiership league Sankoyo Bush Bucks and the winner at our Regional league Maun United Terrors,” he said.
Quizzed about the costs that will be incurred when moving around the country as per the fixtures schedule, he said; “The issue about money is difficult, thus we will sit and discuss how we can help each other for the matches to be eventually played because we really have to play these games, who knows, maybe we will get lucky and emerge victorious in the end,” said Sebele.
For his part, Lesotlho expressed worry that there has not been enough coverage of the regional league. “The regional leagues have not been receiving enough courage of late but the return of the much anticipated Orange FA Cup will bring back that element. Furthermore, I am really happy about this and cheering for Masitaoka Football Club, which will be representing us,” explained Lesotlho.
According to Lesotlho, Majatlhaga as the team is popularly known is ready to rub shoulders with the big boys, “Masitaoka FC have been doing well; they are currently leading the log as we speak and we are optimistic that they will make our region proud by going all the way to win this trophy,” he said.
On the other hand, Botswana Football Association (BFA) Media Liaison, Tumo Mpatane told BG Sport recently that; “All the teams will be given subsidiary money believed to be in the region of P5000.00 to help themselves with all the logistics, it is not enough but it is better than nothing as the clubs will be able to cover some of the costs,” he said.