Motlakase want compensation for cancelled tie
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday December 1, 2015 16:17
The game has been re-scheduled to tomorrow evening at the Serowe Sports Complex.
The Palapye side had travelled for the game, which was supposed to have been played at the National Stadium, but was abandoned just hours before kick-off.
Motlakase chairperson, Gaolathe Kelesitse said they are concerned about the costs they incurred, particularly as a team struggling with finances. “It has really affected us. We hope the Premier League will meet us half way, we are waiting to hear from them. They are cagey, I hope they compensate. We really don’t understand how a game can be postponed at the very last minute. It shows there are inadequacies. The boys were fired up, but now it might be difficult to motivate them,” Kelesitse said.
The tie was re-scheduled for Serowe considering that GU would be proceeding to Maun for their weekend tie against Sankoyo Bush Bucks, while Motlakase will make the short 40km trip to Serowe.
Reports are that the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) said the National Stadium was unavailable due to the women’s national Under-17 tie against Namibia that was played on Sunday.
Unconfirmed reports indicate the BNSC chief executive officer, Falcon Sedimo had okayed the game being played on Friday, after it was brought forward from Saturday. However, the stadium management reportedly felt the match should not proceed at all to allow the pitch sufficient time to recover.
BNSC chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng said he was not fully aware of what transpired. However, he indicated that the national team games take precedence. “I have not heard anything, but we prioritise national team games,” Reikeletseng said.
BPL chief executive officer, Bennett Mamelodi said there was miscommunication regarding the fixture. “There was miscommunication in terms of confirmation of the fixture. We are looking into the issue to ensure it doesn’t occur in future,” Mamelodi said.
However, there is a feeling the BNSC could have allowed the match to proceed and write a letter to concerned parties about following due process. “Remember Motlakase was already at the stadium and also incurred travelling costs,” said one official speaking on condition of anonymity. GU spokesperson, Michael Mafutlhe said the change of venue would disadvantage his side, although the committee was only expected to meet last night to discuss the matter.
“We received communication from the BPL that due to unforeseen circumstances the match had been called off. We haven’t discussed the issue as we will only meet tonight (yesterday). We were the hosts and obviously that does not favour us,” he said.
Meanwhile, Orapa United coach, Madinda Ndlovu and Township Rollers midfielder, Lawrence Majawa are the BPL November coach and player of the month respectively.