Amend BFA constitution to avert chaos
Dennis Keagile | Friday March 21, 2014 09:00
The constitution need not only accommodate the changes taking place in the association, but to safeguard the integrity and sanctity of the game. Already, we have seen Wonder Sporting changing their name to Police XI although it was obvious that this will happen once the team is promoted to the Premier League.
Not long ago, Kealeboga Gift Mogapi, had Notwane supporters and the football fraternity eating out of his palms. He took over the club and was made vice chairperson of the Premier League.
Well, we all know what happened. He was exposed and kicked out after a miserable failure to deliver.
Now there is talk that Esfandier Ghodrati of BMC FC (or is it FC Rangers) could be on his way to owning Lobatse rivals, Extension Gunners. This, believe you me, would cause drama and controversy of seismic proportions.
For me, it would be totally unacceptable, but because the BFA constitution is outdated, people are taking advantage and throwing the game into disrepute.
The BFA ought to move quickly to close all the gaps.
Yes, our game is not professional and we are still on a learning curve. But we can learn a thing or two from the English and nearby South Africa. Change of club ownership in England is not a small matter between say a buyer and seller.
An assessment is done on the buyer to determine whether he/she is good for the game before approval is given.
The bottom line is, the BFA constitution ought to be amended as a matter of urgency. Otherwise we are headed for chaos. We need specific clauses on private ownership of clubs.
The BMC case is an eye opener. Interestingly, Botswana Meat Commission has instructed both BMC FC and ECCO City Greens not to use their names come the next season.
Mike Sithole
Who really is Mike Sithole and what does he want and what are his principles? A few years ago, Gaborone United (GU) dismissed him over allegations of professional misconduct.
However, a year down the line, snatched him from BMC and GU re-hired him. The Reds dismissed him for the second time because of poor results. Ditching teams in the middle of a season has probably become one of Sithole’s trade marks. He has twice dumped Mochudi Centre Chiefs when they least expected.
He has left Magosi twice and each time, he ended at GU soon after. The first time he left mid-season. The second time, he left a day before the start of his contract with Chiefs.
He seems to be a good tactician who apparently lacks principles. He cannot be trusted. He ought to change and redeem himself. Equally our clubs ought to be professional enough to treat each other with respect.
They should not to be used by coaches because what goes up comes down.
Perhaps our coaches ought to revive their association or the BFA should regulate the movement of coaches just at it does with players.
My appeal to Sithole is to respect himself and the game. The habit of leaving teams mid-stream does not do him any good.