League boss grumbles over sponsorship
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday July 17, 2014 11:43
He complained yesterday that referees, instead of clubs stand to benefit more from the arrangement. He said clubs raised the matter during a recent general assembly.
Olopeng said clubs want a lump sum and prize money at the end of the season, instead of the P12,500 quarterly grants.
He said First Division North League champions, Sankoyo Bush Bucks and the winners in the south, Letlapeng FC did not receive anything at the end of the season. “The sponsorship is only benefiting referees. It should have been channelled towards them instead of clubs. We were told that there will be an awards ceremony but nobody owns it. We do not know what is happening,” said Olopeng.
He said clubs were surprised to learn from the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between Botswana Football Association and Debswana that awards are not included. He said the new season is about to start, yet the awards’ ceremony has not been held. Olopeng said this is an indication there is no proper arrangement from the beginning. “We should put pressure on the National Executive Committee (NEC) to explain to us what is happening. Clubs were given sponsorship money well into the season. We want to know where part of the money went. These are some of the issues that we will bring up at the BFA general assembly,” Olopeng said.
He pointed out that the MoA states that there should be sponsorship committee chaired by an independent person. Its members should be the First Division committee chairpersons, BFA and Debswana representatives. Olopeng said such a committee has never been appointed. “When we complain, we are threatened with suspension. We are accused of chasing away sponsors but as leaders, we have to fight for our clubs and tell them what is exactly happening,” said Olopeng. He complained that procedure was not followed when playing kits were acquired from overseas. He argued that they want to know the company that supplied the kits and the cost. Olopeng, however admitted the Debswana sponsorship has been helpful in paying referees.
BFA CEO, Keith Masters said he is not aware there should be an awards ceremony for the First Division Leagues. He said it is possible to alter the sponsorship arrangement if clubs make a presentation to the NEC. He said the BFA decided to give clubs grants on a quarterly basis to avoid the money being exhausted all at once.