Revamped Capital Motors tourney shifted to October
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday September 25, 2015 14:16
Eight men and four women’s top sides will be in the hat for the tournament, which starts with the men’s quarterfinals in Serowe on October 3.
The cup competition is usually held over the Independence Day holiday, but had to be shifted due to the national teams’ engagements.
BVF president, Daniel Molaodi said the tournament is in its last year under the Capital Motors sponsorship. Molaodi said this year they are introducing a new format where only the top clubs participate, which is a change from the past where all teams took part.
Molaodi said the decision to come up with a new format of play was communicated to the teams at the beginning of the season in order for them to play well aware of what was at stake.
“The participating teams booked themselves a spot in the competition by finishing the first round of the league in the top eight (men) and top four for women,” he said.
Molaodi said the league has few women teams hence the top four. He said they wanted the tournament to take place over a short period as they want more funds to go towards the clubs. He said this was also done in line with the shift of policy at the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC). He said the BNSC has cancelled grants towards teams. Molaodi said the Capital Motors tournament is a qualifier for the Zone Six Club Championships.
Police VI and Kalavango will kick-start the men’s competition and the second match will see Kutlwano taking on Itekeng from Jwaneng. BDF VI will entertain Mag Stimela from Mahalapye. Ramotswa based Spiking Stars will battle it out against Diphatsa of Francistown. Winners proceed to the semi-final and then final through elimination.
The winner of the tournament walks away with P35,000, second position bags P20,000, third placed team get P15,000 while the team that comes fourth pockets P10,000.
In the women’s competition, Kutlwano play BDF VI while a grudge encounter is expected between Mafolofolo and Kalavango. The women’s champions pocket P25,000, P14,000 for second price, with the second runners-up receiving P10,500. The fourth-placed team would be consoled with P8,500. Molaodi explained that the prize money for women is lower because of the number of matches they will play and has nothing to do with gender.