Clubs reject foreign players� quota increase
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Tuesday June 23, 2015 18:02
The current regulation allows each Premier League side to register three foreign players.
The motion called for the assembly to pave way for teams to be able to register five foreign players, with only three foreign players allowed for each team on the match day squad. Both Township Rollers and Mochudi Centre Chiefs representatives were of the view that the current regulation is putting Premier League sides at a disadvantage.
They argued that the registration of five players would allow teams to have replacements in cases of injuries.
The assembly also said the registration of two more foreign players would not impact negatively on the development of local players since only three foreign players would still be allowed on match day squad. Extension Gunners chairman, Kitso Dlamini however argued that the current system being used should not be changed. He said local players should be given a chance to grow, adding that most of the foreign players brought into the Premier League have been rejected by their systems back home and add little value to the development of the league.
Dlamini’s sentiments were shared by Gaborone United (GU) president, Tymon Katlholo, who reminded the assembly of the role of the Premier League, explaining that the league exists to develop local players and make them competent on the international level. He said the increase in the number of foreign players in the league would hamper the growth of local players.
“Even if we say only three should be in the match day squad, why then should we have two additional foreign players sitting on the stands and doing nothing?” he asked.
The proposed regulation was initially used but was changed few years ago.
Rollers have two foreign players in their squad, Lawrence Majawa and Jerome Louis after releasing Manqoba Ngwenya last week. Wilbroad Mutale, Tendai Nyumasi and Ocean Mpofu have filled Chiefs’ foreign quota. The team is said to be interested in former FC Satmos striker, Patrick Kaunda, who has failed to make the grade at Platinum Stars.
The assembly however passed a motion, which calls for the special general assembly to be held in October every year, and consider audited financials for the preceding year.
They also passed a motion that sought the dissolution of the current executive committee and replace it with management committee of the board headed by qualified and competent individuals. The motion also called for the inclusion of qualified and competitive members who are not necessarily members of the board.
Meanwhile, BPL chief executive officer, Bennett Mamelodi has called on the general assembly to consider several additional members and positions in the secretariat.
Mamelodi said the secretariat needs a new mandate and had to be adequately resourced to cope with the challenges, innovations and responsibilities of the office. He also said the vacant position of the general manager should be filled in soon. The position fell vacant after the departure of Phuthego Setete. Mamelodi also asked for the creation of another post in the accounts department and competitions officer. He said the secretariat also needs an information technology and statistics officer, as well as a media officer.
Value adding: Shilongo is one of the foreign players who have done well