BNSC demands P53, 400 from GU
Mqondisi Dube | Monday June 23, 2025 06:00
The Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) which is the custodian of the facility, demanded that the FNB Premiership champions clear the P53,400 owed from the just-ended season. GU had written to the BNSC to facilitate the signing of a lease agreement for the use of the National Stadium for the Champions League games. The Reds will represent Botswana in the Champions League after clinching their 10th title, fending off competition from TAFIC and Jwaneng Galaxy. According to a letter from the BNSC to GU dated June 11, 2025, the mother body indicated that GU had to settle the outstanding P53,400 before the agreement could be signed.
'Please be advised that the BNSC is unable to process your request at this time (for a lease agreement). This is due to an outstanding payment of P53,400 for the use of the National Stadium during the recently concluded 2024–2025 Botswana Premier League. The outstanding amount has been communicated to the Botswana Premier League office,' the letter reads. GU had written to the BNSC on June 6, 2025, requesting a lease agreement for the use of the venue. The club has its own facilities for league matches, but it is not approved to host CAF club ties. 'We kindly request that the payment be settled in full before any further action can be taken on the lease agreement,' the BNSC said in the letter signed by Omponye Molefhe, the acting business development manager. GU director, Nicholas Zakhem said they had no option but to pay the money at short notice. 'We were obliged to pay as we had a (CAF) deadline to meet on June 16,' he said.
The National Stadium can only host the preliminary matches of the Champions League but if GU proceed to the group stages, they will have to use the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium, the only venue accredited by CAF to host Category A matches. The Reds settled the amount this week, but were reportedly disappointed at the lack of leniency from the BNSC. 'The feeling is that since this was at short notice and the club should have been allowed a payment plan. Again in a way, GU is representing the country in this competition and that should have been taken into consideration,' a source within the club said. It is said the BNSC is facing financial challenges, and is doing its all to collect debts. This comes as the government, a major financier of the BNSC, battles financial constraints.