New BPL strategy ready for implementation
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday September 18, 2015 14:49
Mamelodi, whose contract comes to an end in November, has been offered a new two-year contract which he is yet to sign. “We have offered him a two-year contract and we hope the issue will be concluded in a few days,” Kgabung told journalists yesterday.
He defended the decision by the board to offer Mamelodi a two-year contract while the strategy runs up to 2020, saying they did what they felt was right. The adoption of the strategy by the board delayed the ratification of Mamelodi’s new contract. Kgabung indicated that Mamelodi’s contract has deliverables, which are aligned to the new strategy. The strategy was a result of a retreat in which the BPL board met to find ways in which they can professionalise the league.
Among the new changes is the formation of a management committee, which includes other specialists not aligned to any Premier League team.
The management committee now includes among others a well-known attorney, Mboki Chilisa.
The committee will deal with legal issues. It also consists of other people who have expertise in disciplines such as Human Resource, Finance and Audit as well as Risk and Safety.
The committee was formed following a recommendation from the Botswana Football Association (BFA) to have the committee, which will be recognised by the BFA constitution. The previous committee consisted of some Premier League clubs’ chairpersons, which many felt were conflicted in dealing with issues that affected their clubs.
Kgabung also reiterated their stand to have the BPL granted an autonomous status. He said discussions are ongoing where the National First Division and the BPL will be incorporated into an autonomous body.
This he said will enable the two leagues to grow and be able to share resources. “We have another meeting on September 29 although I am not sure whether the issue will be finalised,” he said.
The BPL also adopted a compliance manual which is compulsory for all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Mamelodi said their broadcast partners, Btv are ready to deliver on their mandate.
This follows a public outcry in which the state broadcaster had promised to show some of the games delayed only to fail to deliver on their promise.
Mamelodi said there is no malice and promised a better product from the station as the two parties attempt to make the league appealing.
In the new deal, the Btv has agreed to show 60 beMOBILE Premiership and 13 Mascom Top 8 matches live on top of other unlimited delayed matches.