Premier League now a private company

Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday August 4, 2020 11:22

 

Premier League now a private company

The BPL is now a commercial arm, and as a private entity, would have its affairs run under the Botswana Football League (Pty) Limited.

The BPL has been yearning for autonomy, but has, for years, remained under the shadows of the mother body, the Botswana Football Association (BFA). It meant the BPL could not negotiate its contracts.

It has been 12 years since a blue print, the Bosele Declaration was developed, with a view to turn football professional.

In recent weeks, the BFA has accelerated efforts to turn the BPL into a private entity.

Clubs have been taken through the commercialisation process, by former FIFA development officer, Ashford Mamelodi.

A four member committee was recently appointed to spearhead the process of seeking commercial partners for the BPL.

BFA president, Maclean Letshwiti said he was  elated that the process was finally  bearing fruit.

“In most successful countries worldwide, the Premier League is the investment arm of the association. For it to be successful, it must be run independently as a business, and cannot be run within the association, because the objectives of the two are different. The Premier League is the commercial arm, and is run as a business. The association is more on development, regulatory and national teams.

He said the move was long overdue.

“This is what should have happened soon after the Bosele Declaration. I am delighted at long last we have realised the ultimate dream, that football is finally being commercialised. It is very positive. It is in line with FIFA objectives, they want to see football commercialised,” Letshwiti said.