Premier League introduces new initiatives
Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday August 5, 2015 15:50
Among the changes, the Premier League will now be known as the beMOBILE Premiership and a new monthly award, the player of the month, has been introduced.
The new changes were announced at a beMOBILE Premiership club and media workshop held in Gaborone yesterday.
The Botswana Premier League chief executive officer, Bennett Mamelodi said a lot of hard work had been put into preparing for the 2015/2016 season.
“For once we have a good story to tell after years of turmoil. We are building a monster and want a self-sustaining league,” Mamelodi said.
He said they have an elaborate action plan for the first 100 days since their retreat in Mahalapye last month.
Among other issues to be addressed within the first 100 days are the ticketing system, attracting new money through commercialising properties and developing a broadcasting strategy.
“If we fail to deliver in the first 100 days, then the media should hold us to account,” Mamelodi said.
South Africa-based sports marketing agency, Optimize chief marketing officer, Vivian Casaletti announced the local league would launch the player of the month award this weekend. “This is a continuation from where we left off last season where fans voted for the players’ player of the season.
“Fans will vote for the player of the month. The aim is to motivate the players through incentives. Fans will win prizes as well,” Casaletti said.
She said they have developed a three year strategy called be campaign. “Last year we put up the foundation and this year we want to engage the fans and build a strong relationship.
“In the third year it’s about nurturing the relationship and creating sustainable benefits,” she said.
Casaletti said they want to package the local game in a professional manner and vastly improve branding this season. Improved revenues are expected as a result.
Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) head of sponsorship and consumer public relations, Tiro Kganela said they have taken a decision that they should be return on investment.
BTC Limited is beMOBILE’s parent company. “We are happy with the relationship that we have with BPL and the media, although there is room for improvement,” he said.
BPL board chairperson, Walter Kgabung said they intend to build up club capability by taking advantage of opportunities offered by the title sponsor.
“The turbulence is behind us. We see BPL as a league that compares well with others in the region.
“Our next step is to have a fully resourced structured secretariat in line with international best practices,” he said. He added the recently drafted 2016-2020 strategy is not cast in stone as they want to continue to improve.