BFL board convenes after tense Palapye meeting
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday July 15, 2025 11:37
There were intense, behind-closed-doors deliberations centred on BFL chief executive, Bennett Mamelodi and the Betway sponsorship deal. On Sunday morning, news was that the meeting had resolved to suspend Mamelodi over maladministration, but the BFL board chairperson, Peter Kesitilwe, through a statement, denied the reports. However, one club official who attended the Palapye meeting said the board has to act as there was a resolution to suspend Mamelodi. The veteran administrator was on several occasions asked to step out of the meeting venue as a motion to suspend him was on the table. Gaborone United, Township Rollers, Matebele, Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Extension Gunners were reportedly among clubs pushing for Mamelodi's removal. The board was expected to discuss the issue last night as it reviewed events of the Saturday meeting. 'We did not vote, a final resolution was not reached. If Mamelodi was removed, the argument was that we could not leave out the board. Mamelodi gets instructions from the board,' another club official told MonitorSport.
There were reports that Mamelodi had authorised payments without prior approval from the board, and that an audit was due to be instituted. The gathering agreed to a special meeting to discuss auditing the activities of the secretariat. The other burning matter at the AGA was the Betway sponsorship, where the gambling company had committed P1.5million towards the league. The shareholders were reportedly not involved in the sponsorship discussions and clubs have instead, urged further talks on the deal with a view to improving the amount. Under the current arrangement, each club will receive under P100,000 per season to have the Betway logo on their team's sleeve, an amount which is deemed too low. The AGA resolved that four shareholders will be appointed to the board, with the current leadership remaining in office until the end of next season.
Reached for comment on the outcome of the Palapye meeting, Kesitilwe said he could only do after last night's board meeting. 'I can revert this evening (yesterday). We have a board meeting from 6pm. It's an assessment of the AGA by the board,' he said.