BPL considers dress code for coaches
Chakalisa Dube | Friday February 1, 2019 13:26
This will ensure clubs keep a professional appearance, as well as protect the image of the sponsors.
During last weekend’s Mascom Top 8 semi-final matches, some coaches’ dress code left a lot to be desired. In contrast, in neighbouring South Africa, where the Nedbank Cup was being played, coaches were immaculately dressed, in line with the competition.
Players and officials were clad in Nedbank branded t-shirts and track suites. In some instances coaches and officials were in formal wear or neat casual.
BPL chief executive officer, Thabo ‘Stiles’ Ntshinogang feels coaches must be properly dressed. “Coaches are encouraged to be presentable during matches. I do acknowledge that the word presentable is vague and we need to come up with a specific dress code,” he said yesterday.
“Without a defined dress code we are bound to see inconsistency in terms of dress standards for some local coaches.”
He added that at the moment the BPL does not have the powers to impose sanctions on coaches who ‘violate’ dress standards.
Ntshinogang said the matter of coaches’ presentation is always discussed during refresher courses.
“Like I said the matter needs to be discussed by the Premier League, clubs, coaches and other relevant stakeholders. I do not want to point fingers. It is important for us to continue interacting in such matters in order to deliver a well-packaged league. I will definitely take the matter up with the stakeholders involved in the game.”
The majority of leagues around the world have well-defined dress codes that participating clubs adhere to.
Local sides such as Orapa United and Township Rollers have maintained a professional outlook in public and during matches.
Their players and the technical team members often arrive in identical tracksuits or occasionally in stylish suites. In some countries, league authorities reserve the right to impose fines on coaches who fail to adhere to a prescribed dress code.