“Sports is suspended and it’s making it difficult to conclude on deals”-BFL
Team morale low, preparations put on ice
Gunners, Mogoditshane Fighters, Notwane, Gilport, Highlanders await appeal verdict
VICTORIA MARUMO
The future of the Premier League remains uncertain as the Botswana Football League struggles to secure sponsorship.
Moreover, teams including football giants Extension Gunners FC are still awaiting the final verdict regarding club licensing following a rejection in their first application. Other teams suffering a similar fate include Mogoditshane Fighters FC, Notwane FC, Gilport Lions FC, and Mahalapye Railway Highlanders.
Sources close to Extension Gunners FC suggested that the football giants were denied their club license because of a staggering debt in the form of unpaid wages to some former and current team players. However Public Relations Officer for Lobatse based Extension Gunners FC Oarabile Kgosiesele was quick to dismiss these accusations; and while he did not deny that the club has outstanding arrears, he made it clear that it was not the reason their application failed.
“We were able to meet with the people in question prior to submitting our application and had reached common ground in terms of payment procedures by the time of submission,” he maintained.
Kgosiesele said there are important details that make up the payment structure but he was not in a position to share it with the public. He highlighted that as a committee they had followed up with the licensing board and are still awaiting their feedback with regards to their appeal, adding that they were promised correspondence by the end of the week.
“The only problem with such situations is that a response by end of the week could mean in another month and so we are just waiting,” he scoffed.
Respective Public Relations Officers from the other teams faced with the same predicament also said the situation is still as it was with no feedback received yet for their appeals.
According to Botswana Football Association (BFA) Public Relations Officer Tumo Mpatane adjudication is are ongoing. He said formal communication with the concerned clubs will be made once everything is done and finalised.
Despite the on and off ban on gatherings inclusive of sporting activities and training, dates had been set for the resumption of the premier league. Unfortunately, the regulations have caused setbacks for a number of teams that have had to put all plans on ice as planning under the current circumstances is futile.
The Botswana Football League (BFL) is also feeling the pressure as a result of on and off restrictions on sport, which is playing a huge role in their inability to secure sponsors.
A very dismissive BFL Chief Executive Officer Solomon Ramochotlhwane was not keen on responding to any questions regarding sponsorship.
“If it is something to do with sponsors no. Sport is suspended and it’s making it difficult to conclude on deals,” he said. In addition, Ramochotlhwane said they are not in a position to make any decisions regarding the league due to the suspension of sport activities but would only make decisions once there is a clear roadmap on the resumption of sporting activities.