Why the snail pace in the Rollers case?

Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday November 4, 2025 11:09

In September, Rollers failed to fulfil their fixture against Calendar Stars after the Gaborone giants' players went on strike. Subsequently, the BFL charged Rollers for bringing the game into disrepute. But now it is November, and the case is still before the Disciplinary Committee. What is taking so long to conclude what, on the surface, appears to be a straightforward matter? The danger with dragging the issue is that it might come back to haunt the BFL and the entire Premiership. The timing of the ruling could be crucial if it ultimately affects, say, the title race or relegation. The matter should have been disposed of within a week or so, particularly since there was an international window soon after the violation, which should have afforded the league the time to address the pressing issue. But it appears to be business as usual as the matter drags on in typical 'justice delayed is justice denied' fashion.

Imagine deciding to deduct points late, at a time when Rollers is chasing the league title. It might be regarded as a deliberate attempt to derail Rollers at that particular time, given the timing and the delays. Dispelling the issue early helps the affected teams to adjust accordingly, and life moves on. On another issue at the BFL, clubs are up in arms over a decision by the league management to deduct funds meant for grants. The decision was taken as a way to augment the BFL budget for secretariat operations. Clubs were informed after the decision was taken, and the BFL feels it was in the best interest of the game to go that route, rather than suspend fixtures. There are concerns over consultation and milking an already overburdened cow in the form of struggling clubs. How are clubs expected to survive in this tough environment, where effectively the parent is taking from the children instead of the other way round. It might be a temporary loan, but clubs probably need the cash more than the BFL. It is apparent that the BFL is broke, and something needs to be urgently done to remedy the situation. New chief executive officer, Billy Sekgororoane, has to show his ingenuity in order to improve the financial status of the league.

There is a need to introduce more innovative thinking in order to raise income, particularly in some untapped streams. The BFL leadership has previously benchmarked within and outside the continent, and at some stage, sooner rather than later, the football family should start seeing the fruits of these trips. Otherwise, it will remain wasted money if the BFL remains moribund and trapped in the analogue era, when the whole world has moved on.