Clubs unimpressed as First Division kick-off delays

Koketso Kgoboge | Wednesday September 7, 2016 14:53

First Division Sua Flamingoes defender Ishmael Mosetlha(red) and Ecco City Greens fowarder Oarabile Powe during the DebSwana first division game. PIC: KEOAGILE BONANG

The beMOBILE Premiership has also announced a late kick-off for similar reasons. But some clubs are unimpressed with the decision, arguing it will stretch their already thin budgets.

First Division North was scheduled to kick-off this weekend while in the south, the start date was September 17, but action has now been moved to October 8.

First Division North secretary general, Rapula Gaotlhobogwe said they had no choice but to postpone due to the shortage of grounds.

“We have a challenge of grounds,” he said. “Most of those we use in different areas are already booked for preparations and celebration of Bot50. Therefore we have no choice but to postpone,” he said.

His south counterpart, Sydney Magagane said they acted on instruction from the higher office. “We were ordered to delay the league to make way for independence celebrations and we could not question. Our league will (therefore) start on the first weekend of October,” Magagane said.

However, clubs have expressed displeasure at the postponement of the action. Sua Flamingoes said they had prepared intensively for the season and the postponement is going to impact on their preparations.

“We don’t want to repeat what happened last season,” club spokesperson, Bashi Joseph said. “We have started our pre-season early because we knew the league was going to resume this month. Now we will have to reschedule and it also means more friendly games until the league resumes. We have to find ways to contain players and keep focus,” Joseph said.

The financially-troubled clubs are crying that the delay will compound their tight budget. Selebi -Phikwe’s Real Movers team manager, Keleneetswe Leposo said the delay is going to affect their momentum and will also weigh heavily on them when the season begins. “We are ready to kick-start the league. The players show a lot of sharpness and they want to get to business, and the postponement is dispiriting,” he said.

“We are a struggling side financially. Our budget is always tight and the postponement of the league means extra expenses without income. As we see it, we will be labouring when the league starts,” Leposo added.