Clubs reject BRU official as referee
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday April 29, 2014 14:30
EMG Gunners’ coach, Bucks Keopetswe has said there is need for a neutral person as a referee and not the union’s secretary general. He said Alabu must oversee the operations of the union and not officiate in matches. “The secretary general has responsibilities, which he can not perform with a clear mind (if he is also a referee). One cannot complain about referees to him since he is one of them,” he said.
Keopetswe stated that protocol is not observed in some matches and in the most recent case, visiting Gaborone Hogs dictated kick-off time when they played Gunners. Home teams decide the kick-off time. “I am also concerned about the behaviour of some players and coaches who insult referees on social media. That behaviour should not be condoned by the union,” said Keopetswe.
Another coach, who preferred anonymity fearing censure shared Keopetswe’s sentiments. He said it was improper for the secretary general to be a referee as it affects his impartiality.
BRU development manager, Zee Khumalo defended Alabu’s appointment, citing a shortage of referees. He said the BRU secretary general is a qualified referee. He stated that the challenge BRU faces is that coaches themselves are not qualified. Khumalo said they would have a workshop to empower coaches. He explained that during the workshop, coaches would be given International Rugby Board (IRB) rules that deal with match officials.
“Our coaches need to attend the sessions to help them understand the laws of the game. Our coaches must remember that we used the same referee last year for the league games and we did not have a problem. Why should we have a problem now?” Khumalo wondered.
He suggested the complaints come from the fact that the referees have developed but clubs have not kept abreast with the laws of the game. He said they have warned clubs about some of their exchanges in social media.
Meanwhile, the A Division League continued over the weekend with Botho Ryders receiving a 24-0 drubbing from BDF Cheetahs. Gaborone Hogs beat UB Rhinos 3-0, while Gunners collected maximum points after a 24-10 win over Francistown Tuskers.