Assembly to decide BPL board fate
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday July 22, 2016 12:40
The board’s decision to take the BFA to court over the reinstatement of BPL chief executive officer, Bennett Mamelodi appears to have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Sebego said it was becoming increasingly difficult for the association because the board was no longer willing to oblige to their instructions. “As we speak there is a case at the court, registered and in that case the BFA is the respondent and the BPL board is the applicant,” he said.
Sebego said the board has engaged in a series of acts of misconduct, which included refusal to reinstate Mamelodi, continuous engagement with the Botswana National Sport Council (BNSC) over issues that could have been dealt with by the BFA as well as interfering with the sponsor, beMOBILE.
“This suspension does not extend to the BPL as a member of the association or as a structure. BPL will continue to operate as usual, but the operations of the BPL board will now be handled by the BFA,” he said.
Sebego said the latest developments will not in any way affect the running of the BPL activities including tomorrow’s play-off match between Township Rollers and Mochudi Centre Chiefs. He said the BPL office, which has been running the Premier League activities will continue to do so even without the BPL board.
The board and the mother body have been on collision course for a couple of months with the issue of the suspended BPL CEO and the Ofentse Nato saga at the centre. The series of disturbing moments at the BPL kicked off with the recalling of former BPL chairpersons, Walter Kgabung and Solomon Mantswe as well as the suspension of Mamelodi and his personal assistant over allegations of misuse of funds. The events started what now looks like a soapie with several new controversies coming out every now and then.
The issue of Nato also saw the board clash with other structures after it convened and through chairperson, Rapula Okaile instructed that Township Rollers be docked 10 points for the use of the player. It sparked a row, with the BFA national disciplinary committee reversing the decision and instructing Okaile to appear for disciplinary proceedings.
At some time the BPL board also engaged the BNSC to intervene and clashed with the BFA NEC over the return of Mamelodi. NEC had resolved to reinstate Mamelodi and not proceed with court action where the suspended CEO is seeking his reinstatement.