The award carries a R100,000 cash prize. Last season’s relegated sides, Extension Gunners, Mogoditshane Fighters and Prisons XI received P82,500 each for their sweat over 30 games.
Mbunjana and other players who emerged as men of the match during South Africa’s Carling Cup Black Label matches needed only 90 minutes to surpass the prize money given to Botswana’s teams in the top division.
It might be unfair to compare the two as South Africa’s league is miles ahead and enjoys multiple sponsorships, but it should be a wake-up call to local authorities that an individual just next door can earn more than a whole Premier League team. The Botswana Premier League is probably the only league without a title sponsor across the region.
The very Black Label brand that sponsors the Carling Cup in South Africa is present in Botswana and the beverage is one of the most consumed products. However, Botswana is failing to benefit although sponsors will argue they want their money’s worth. Botswana Football League (BPL) chief executive officer, Senzo Mbatha, recently hinted that there was need to engage executives of companies with operations in Botswana but headquartered in South Africa. It is in South Africa that critical decisions are made.
That conversation is now ever more urgent particularly in the face of the embarrassing statistic where an individual earns more in 90 minutes than an entire team does the entire season. After the departure of BTC, local football has suffered with no meaningful contribution from the private sector. Mascom withdrew from sponsoring the Top 8 competition and there is little to cheer with only the Orange FA Cup offering solace.
There is always the excuse of the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit businesses, but how about other countries which continue to receive funding from the private sector? COVID-19 was not only confined to Botswana as its effects were felt across sectors globally. Something needs to be done as fans and players have shown their willingness to contribute to a good Premier League product.
Those in office should now pick pace and prioritise finding worthy partners. Players need to be rewarded from their sweat and toil as football is a short and risky career. Local administrators have in the past, flown all the way to Spain and other countries to benchmark, but that has not translated into a positive trajectory in terms of improving the local product.
