Double headers present headaches
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday November 2, 2018 13:56
However, just after nine rounds of Premiership football played, the initiative is not paying the expected dividends.
Speaking to Mmegi Sport yesterday, Gaborone United chairperson, Boitumelo Nsunge said the move has not helped his side but has created more financial problems.
He said there has been an issue with sharing of responsibilities in logistical matters and splitting of match ticket proceeds.
“I would say the two (double headers) we have played have not been very helpful to us.
There is lot of problems, including preparing for the games, the logistical part of it. We should know that there are bigger teams, which bring more numbers to the games and should benefit more.
“It has not been clear as to who should do what. There should be a formula for the sharing of costs and proceeds. We should first know if the double headers were meant to bring numbers to the games or help boast our clubs’ back pockets. It should have been clear and we should benefit accordingly,” he said.
Nsunge further said his team is scheduled to play in six double headers this season and hopes the situation would be rectified for the upcoming games.
Gunners chairperson, Tariq Babitseng whose side has played two of their five double headers for the season, said teams have been disadvantaged by the initiative, as negotiations over sharing gate takings between clubs have not been fruitful in the past.
“The resolution was taken before I was voted into office but I would say that, our first encounter (with the double headers) was not okay, just the essence of it.
There are teams that have a larger numbers of supporters than others and I think they should benefit more in that order. But we may find that due to the financial problems that teams are currently going through, they would demand a larger portion of the proceeds but had not brought more to the table.”
“I think we should look at the teams and look at the numbers they bring. We have to look at the financial statements of the teams and how much they make from game ticket,” he said.
“You may find that other clubs do not have a larger number of supporters thus do not make a lot of money through gate takings and with the double header initiative you may find that they will make more money than they had made in the past, benefitting from the other team. I think we need to find a resolution to this.”
This weekend, the fourth double header will be played at the Lobatse Sports Complex. BDF XI will take on Sankoyo Bush Bucks in the earlier kick-off, before Gunners face Sharps Shooting Stars.