Botswana women’s football has received a major boost after Diamond Trading Company Botswana(DTCB) increased its sponsorship for women’s football projects to P1.7 million for the 2026 season, up from P1.5 million last year.
In a televised interview on the national broadcaster this morning, Botswana’s 2024 FIFA women’s football development expert Tsholofelo Sethoko said the sponsorship will significantly strengthen regional development initiatives and grassroots programmes across the country.
Sethoko revealed that teams competing in Botswana’s elite women’s league will each receive P5,000 towards administrative costs as part of efforts to improve club operations and participation.
She said the women’s football programme has adopted a broader development strategy aimed at increasing access to funding, noting that last season’s prize money was reduced to allow more teams and projects to benefit from available resources.
The funding will also support grassroots and regional football development, with a strong focus on safeguarding initiatives for female players.
On player welfare, Sethoko stressed the importance of maintaining strict confidentiality on issues involving players undergoing maternity care, describing safeguarding as a key priority in women’s football development.
She further acknowledged challenges in developing qualified female coaches, but highlighted progress made through collaboration between the Botswana Football Association and DTCB.
At least 23 women coaches are currently pursuing the prestigious CAF B coaching licence through a three-phase training programme that started in March and will continue in May and July.
Sethoko also said the BFA is working towards club licensing and standardisation to improve professionalism within the women’s game and attract more sponsors.
The DTCB sponsorship will further support a national block tournament featuring 19 regional champions, with participating teams set to receive training balls, nets and kits.
