BPL clubs meet as financial crisis deepens
Mqondisi Dube | Friday November 9, 2018 12:04
Already, Mochudi Centre Chiefs has failed to fulfil a fixture and were expected to face the wrath of the BPL’s Disciplinary Committee last night. The team is knee-deep in debt, and is not alone in this predicament, as clubs battle to stay afloat. The majority of the 16 BPL clubs are finding it difficult to consistently pay players’ salaries, and keep pace with other financial commitments. Notwane is one of the latest sides to raise its hand, indicating that the going is increasingly getting tough.
‘Toronto’ has even suggested cutting salaries as part of financial restructuring in order to ensure viability.
“This has been necessitated by the financial constraints facing not only the club but the football fraternity in Botswana,” Notwane said in a media statement.
“As a result of this exercise, the team is consulting its internal stakeholders, which include the head coach, to rationalise its expenses and financial obligations.”
Ntshinogang is concerned with the worsening turn of events, and a meeting with clubs would be held before the end of the first round.
“Before the end of the first round, we will meet all clubs to discuss this worrisome issue. Fortunately, La Liga officials have promised to come before the end of the year to workshop clubs,” Ntshinogang said.
The BPL recently benchmarked in Spain, and identified a financial control system as key towards emancipating clubs from persistent ‘poverty’. The development will see the introduction of financial caps for clubs, meaning they have to spend within their means. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on the BPL to pursue the matter of the cashless television rights deal with Btv.
The Botswana Football Association (BFA) signed a five-year deal with Btv in 2015, two years of which were cashless.
The deal has entered the cashless phase and clubs are putting pressure on the BPL to re-engage Btv.
“Regarding the cashless deal, discussions are ongoing. Remember, we are discussing a contract that was signed and sealed five years ago, so trying to make extensive changes will not be easy. However, we are giving it our best effort,” Ntshinogang said.