Regional champions get promotion boost

Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Tuesday August 4, 2015 14:02

First Division North as well as Nhabe Regional Football Association put the motion forward. Initially, the champions of each block were to engage in four-team play-offs with the runners-up from both blocks, after which the top two teams get promoted to the higher division. Advancing their reasons, the First Division North said teams were incurring costs having to travel to honour the play-offs.

They also said their motion, if it is successful, will ensure that teams have enough break during off-season.

The assembly gave the motion thumbs up with 62 delegates voting in its favour while 21 disapproved it. Some of the delegates felt that the initial arrangement encouraged competition and ensured that only the best get promoted to the first division.

The Botswana Premier League (BPL) also presented their motions, but were referred to the BFA Statutes Committee to deal with.  One of the motions was the one calling for the formation of the Referees Review committee.

The committee, they said, would be an oversight body that will review game changing decisions of match officials in order to ensure that football in Botswana is played in the spirit of fair play.

The motion was sparked by an incident in which Township Rollers midfielder, Maano Ditshupo was mistakenly sent off in the Mascom Top 8 match.

In his report, the referee admitted the error and Ditshupo’s suspension was reversed.  BPL also wanted the acceleration of their independence where they want to have more powers and become independent from the mother body, BFA.

In their justification, the BPL said by having more powers, they will be able to negotiate and conclude their own contracts as well as pursuing with more vigour its drive for professionalism.  They also wanted the BFA to allow the formation of a match-fixing policy as well as have a special general assembly every year in October to consider accounts for the year ended June 30 in that particular year.  Meanwhile BFA president, Tebogo Sebego said the process to empower the BPL requires careful consideration.

“One key aspect for the Premier League and national leagues is that these are becoming more dynamic by the day and therefore require careful considerations for the management to ensure that they have separate play rules and regulations from other structures,” he said.  He said this will allow peculiar requirements of national leagues to be adequately addressed and also promote growth.  Sebego also said the process was delayed because of the absence of the vice president administration as well as the change of leadership at the BPL.  “The BPL recently held a retreat and appointed Walter Kgabung as the new chairperson. As part of their new structure, the BPL has also appointed a sub-committee responsible for strategy and it is our belief that this will assist in the progression of this matter,” he said.