Football's P300 million dilemma
Mqondisi Dube | Friday June 5, 2020 11:54
Medical experts engaged by the Botswana Football Association (BFA) have presented a report, which does not provide good news for those hoping to see the conclusion of the various leagues.
The report indicates that clubs would have to fork a combined P305,942,820, if the season is to be concluded. Most of the costs would go to the testing of players and disinfection of facilities.
Each match, for the Premier League and First Division, would cost over P2 million and the clubs are expected to bear the burden.
At the suspension of football activities in March, there were 80 matches remaining in the BTC Premiership, 18 for the First Division and seven matches in the Orange FA Cup.
This means there is a total of 123 matches still to be played if the season is to be completed.
With organising a match costing P2,487,340, this would mean clubs have to part with P305,942,820 if they want to complete the season.
It appears an insurmountable task, which all points to the season either being declared null and void, or completed using the current log standings.
However, there are lingering questions, with clubs given options to decide on the way forward.
Others, like TAFIC, argue it is a worthless exercise for the BFA to engage the clubs, when at the end of the day, their input would count for nothing.
BFA president, Maclean Letshwiti this week told Mmegi Sport, the NEC might have the final decision, bringing into question, the logic behind asking clubs to vote on the three options.
“As it is (considering costs) we are down to two options. But we are saying two-thirds of the season has been played (in the case of the BTC Premiership). Teams expect rewards for their efforts,” Letshwiti said.
Clubs naturally hold a different view on the matter, as there were close contests at both ends of the table in the two leagues, the BTC Premiership and National Debswana First Division.
Letshwiti said it was key to take decisions that ensure the survival of clubs post-COVID-19.
But with predictions that COVID-19 would linger longer, the future of local football looks bleak.
If action does not return this year, next season would likely be affected, where games could be played behind closed doors.
Letshwiti said there is need for a good television rights deal. The BTC Premiership is in the last year of a bizarre ‘cashless’ deal, where state broadcaster, Botswana Television does not pay for broadcasting games.
“We will have to do a lot better to negotiate a good deal,” Letshwiti said.