In the first season of implementation, five clubs Notwane, Extension Gunners, Mahalapye Railway Highlanders, Gilport Lions and Mogoditshane Fighters failed the initial process, leading to the Botswana Football Association (BFA), through the licensing organ, the First Instance Body (FIB) granting provisional licences pending compliance.
Last season, there was an uproar when Masitaoka, Eleven Angeles, Extension Gunners, Morupule Wanderers and Mogoditshane Fighters did not meet Club Licensing requirements.
The BFA national executive committee bowed to public pressure and granted a five-day extension to the clubs to enable them to comply. At the end of the grace period, the clubs were granted licenses after the BFA indicated they had complied. To get a licence, clubs are expected to, among others, have an office manned by personnel, submit financials, have valid contracts for players and technical staff as well as declare abidance with statutes and regulations. Clubs must also have qualified coaches, who hold a B licence for locals and an A document for expatriates. On Wednesday, the BFA indicated that all clubs had been granted licenses to compete in the 2023-2024 season.
"The Botswana Football Association (BFA) would like to congratulate the Botswana Premier League clubs for fulfilling all club licensing requirements," the BFA said in a statement. "The BFA First Instance Body has reached a consensus decision to grant a licence to all the 16 Premier League clubs to participate in the Premier League for the 2023-2024 season after all the teams successfully used the new online platform called Club Licensing Online Platform to apply for licenses," the BFA further added. The association said all clubs fulfilling club licensing requirements meant they take football development seriously and urged First Division sides to follow suit.
Gunners and Fighters, the only two clubs to fail initial club licensing requirements, were relegated to the First Division last season. The new Premier League is due to start next month amid criticism that a delayed kick-off is a disadvantage to teams that participate in the CAF club competitions. Gaborone United will participate in the CAF Confederations Cup, starting with a preliminary round contest against Madagascar's ELGECO PLUS, while Jwaneng Galaxy host Vipers SC from Uganda. GU captain, Mpho Kgaswane said delaying the league start means they enter CAF competitions with little action under their belt.
Botswana Football League CEO, Senzo Mbatha said they are tying loose ends before the competition kicks-off next month.
The Premier League is expected to announce new sponsors after the league was played without a title sponsor in the last two seasons. Mbatha, through a statement announced yesterday that the season is tentatively scheduled to kick-off on September 16, and end on June 8 with the Orange FA Cup final. However, the Mascom Top 8 will not make a return.
