The Governments of Botswana and Namibia on Thursday 9th June 2022 officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement to jointly bid for the 2027 AFRICAN CUP of Nations. The signing was done by the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Hon Tumiso Rakgare on behalf of Botswana with his Namibian counterpart Minister of Sport,Youth and National Service Hon Agnes Tjongarero. The Memorandum of Agreement signing took place at the Lekidi Football centre in Gaborone, Botswana.
The two Governments have agreed to collaborate on a 60:40 resource sharing principle. The principle means that Botswana will contribute 60% of the resources needed for the project, and Namibia will contribute 40%. The same principle shall apply in sharing of proceeds and benefits of hosting AFCON 2027.
In the likely event we are successful in securing the rights to host the AFCON Finals, Namibia will host the Opening Ceremony and Botswana will host the Closing Ceremony and both the third place playoff and Final match. In this arrangement Botswana will host 24 of the 36 group stage matches, whilst Namibia will host 12. Botswana will host 5 of the 8 round of 16 matches, whilst Namibia hosts 3 matches.
The quarter finals and the semi-finals will be shared equally between the two countries.There will be a Bid Technical Committee established by both countries, with the Chairperson coming from Botswana and the Vice Chairperson from Namibia. The key objective of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Botswana and Namibia (BONA) Bid Committee “BONA2027” is to work through the formal bidding process for Botswana and Namibia with a view to secure the rights for the two (2) countries to jointly host the finals of the 2027 AFCON.
This will require the committee to gain a full understanding of the bid process and requirements for the Africa Cup of Nations, precisely the edition to be celebrated in 2027 with a view to submit a seamless Bid document to CAF before the set deadline. The committee will also be responsible for lobbying for support from various CAF affiliated structures. This will be conducted with full support of the political leadership of the two countries.
The BONA2027 Bid Technical Committee was presented with Chairperson- Mr Ashford Mamelodi ,The Vice Chairperson – Mr. John Muinjo ,Football Expert (Botswana)-Mr Phazha Butale, Football Expert (Botswana)- Mr Segolame Ramotlhwa , Acting Director of Sport (Namibia) -Mr Irvine Ndjavera, Director of Sport (Botswana) – Mr Imon Bogosi, Botswana National Sport Commission – Mr Tuelo Serufho ,Football Expert (Namibia MSYNS) Mr. Timothy Tjongarero Botswana Football Association CEO – Mr Mfolo Mfolo, Acting Secretary General.
(NFA) Ms. Jacqueline Gertze, Football Expert (NFA) Mr. Tovey Hoebeb ,Secretary to the Bid Technical Committee (Namibia) – Mr. Rogerdeltry Kambatuku.
Speaking at the event Hon Agnes Tjongarero said “The agreement signed will signify the official collaboration between the two governments. It indeed has been an exciting and eventful time as the two Government officials worked in five months to get the necessary protocols in place for us to stand here today. There are documents that have been developed in the past five months, that includes the Memorandum of Agreement, the Terms of Reference for the Bid Technical Committee, The resource sharing proposal to name but a few.
Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture Hon Tumiso Rakgare highlighted that dream of BONA2027 is centred on a developmental ambition more than just the 90 minute football spectacle. It must not be the footballers and its ancillary stakeholders who benefit from AFCON, but the legacy must be unquestionable.
The legacy of the 2010 world cup in South Africa is a quintessential example of how football has fundamentally changed the infrastructure development of a country. “The 2010 World Cup has demonstrated not just hope and faith, it has without a doubt inspired all of us with the euphoria that anything is possible, if you work towards a common goal and objective. I reiterate my commitment to this bidding process, and I pledge without an iota of doubt, Botswana’s commitment to the course. ’Said Minister Rakgare when addressing the gathering.
The Botswana Football Association President Maclean Letshwiti highlighted that the bid process is going to be very intensive and competitive, sighting the requirements that must be met as they compel the two countries to go all out in terms of budgeting, planning and coordination with assured resources and expertise in place. The BFA President who also seat on the CAF Executive Committee highlighted that this will be a fierce competition which needs the Ministers together with Government, the business community and the media, to hold each other step by step, to achieve this together. ‘’If we have never been united as a people, this is the moment to do so. I guess I am also speaking to my brothers and sisters on the Namibian side’’ said BFA President when delivering his remarks.
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