Professional referees for Five-A-Side tourney
Kabelo Boranabi | Wednesday February 15, 2017 16:14
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, one of the organisers, Losika Seboni said they have asked the Botswana Football Association (BFA) to provide them with match officials for the March 4 games. He also said the BFA would help them to curb the participation of professional players.
“We engaged the BFA to provide us with professional officials who would record everything at the games. The BFA would also help with the cross-checking of the names of the participants. Any player with a ‘blue book’ would not be allowed to take part in the games.
All players must be amateur, no semi-pro or professionals would be allowed,” he said. He said retired players would be allowed to take part while any team that does not abide by the rules would be disqualified.
For her part, Standard Bank Botswana’s head of corporate affairs, branding and marketing, Itumeleng Ramsden said the event provides an opportunity for the bank to engage the fans of Liverpool, to reward the clients and to see its further growth.
“We are proud to have a strong and fruitful relationship with one of the most illustrious football clubs in the world. Our partnership goes beyond activities on the pitch. We count the club and its players as key partners in our global community investment initiatives. The SC trophy is another opportunity to link our customers and Liverpool fans with club and players they love and support,” she said.
A total of 32 teams will battle it out on the day, and the winner would represent the country at Southern Africa region finals to be played on March 18, 2017. The winner of the regional series will win a trip to Liverpool FC’s Anfield where they would battle it out for the ultimate prize with teams from all over the world.
The finals would be played on the pitch of the Merseyside giants’ stadium. The registration of teams will open on February 17 to 27, and is free of charge. Each team must comprise seven Botswana-based residents who must be above the age of 18.
A game would run for seven and half minutes per half, five players including the keeper would be allowed on the field. The tournament was last held in 2015, where BDF V won the local spectacular, but lost at the regional finals to a Zambian team in Zimbabwe.