Teams’ club licensing headache

Some of the local teams could find themselves in the wrong side of the law for possibly not meeting all the club licensing requirements following the 15^th January 2021 deadline set by football mother body.

Botswana Football Association (BFA) has given the club from across all regional associations the deadline in December to file the requirements but the deadline was extended to 15 January 2021. The association has sternly warned the teams that all club licensing requirements would not be taken lightly as with BFA president McLean Letshwiti reiterating a need for all teams to comply.

In an interview late Friday, BFA Regions and Competitions Manager Setete Phuthego said teams have submitted required documentation to meet Friday deadline stipulated by the BFA. Phuthego who also the Secretary General of club licensing committee noted that the review of the documents by the committee would determine if all clubs have complied with all the standards. He said with club licensing all what the association seeks is for all clubs to fully comply with club licensing requirements as it is anticipated by both FIFA and CAF in bid to uphold professionalism.

“There has been issues that the committee raised following the review of teams submissions in the November deadline. The deadline was extended to December 2020 and then to January 2021. The expectation is that this was the last deadline and teams will comply as football returns,” he said.

He went on to say that BFA is still keen on its plan that competitive football being the Orange FA Cup and league will resume on January and February respectively in line with the set Covid-19 protocols. The Orange FA cup quarterfinals are expected to be played at the end of January, paving the way for the premier league to start early February despite lack of sponsors for the league at the moment. “We have set the times for return of football and we are still sticking to them. We can say we are ready for the FA cup action end of this month, “said Phuthego but could not be drawn into discussing the issues related to BFA finding the sponsorship for the premier league next season.

He added that the determination of resumption would be based on whether government could or not extend the curfew when it elapses ended of this month but said BFA is ready for games.

Meanwhile, Premier league debutant Masitaoka FC of Molepolole satisfied club licensing requirements from the onset.  Club Licensing chairperson Victor Sebolao was quoted last week, saying:”It is true they passed with flying colors. I must say that we are proud of them as a newly promoted club.” 

Other clubs have been given up to January 15 to have submitted what is required from them. “We were a bit lenient because of Covid-19 challenges but after the 15th there is no turning back. Some clubs were asked to bring audited financial reports but instead brought just financials. I must say we are disappointed about some big clubs which have failed to produce what is needed out of them,” added Sebolao.