Btv Vans Barred From Lobatse Stadium

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Monday May 20, 2013 00:00

 

The Btv crew had brought equipment for a live broadcast of the Mascom Top 8 final between Gaborone United (GU) and BDF XI.

However, upon arrival at the venue, the team found the Supersport crew with their trucks and equipment preparing to air the final. After waiting for a while at the gate, the Btv crew finally returned to Gaborone in what is likely to cause a major rift between the Botswana Football Association (BFA), Botswana Premier League (BPL) and Btv.

Saturday's embarrassing incident was anticipated after conflicting comments from Btv, BFA and the Premier League officials.  In midweek, it was reported that Supersport had offered Btv free feed for Saturday's final.

But the Btv management denied any knowledge of this arrangement and offer. Btv head of sports, Edson Malebane was quoted on Thursday saying they hold the rights to broadcast the Mascom Top 8 final. He said they were preparing to air the match on their own and not through a free feed from Supersport.

BFA president, Tebogo Sebego waded in and said he was confident that Btv will play ball and ensure that the deal bears fruit.

Now the three parties, BPL, Btv and Supersport seem to have failed to reach an agreement over the airing of the final as evidenced by the stand-off at the New Lobatse Stadium. The match was eventually aired live on Supersport channel nine.