Deductions spoil clubs' payday
Mqondisi Dube | Friday July 6, 2018 13:13
Information passed to Mmegi Sport indicates that the majority of the clubs, although they had previously complained about delays in disbursing the prize money, will take home severely eroded pay cheques.
Most clubs struggled financially last season, particularly to regularly shell players’ salaries, and went cap in hand to the Botswana Premier League (BPL) for advances. Although BPL chief executive officer, Thabo ‘Styles’ Ntshinogang declined to divulge the figures, he confirmed that a number of clubs were in serious debt.
“At least 10 clubs came to us for P100,000 advances. Some will go home with nothing. It is a serious situation, and we try and advise our clubs to spend within their means,” Ntshinogang said last night, as the Premier League prepares to introduce financial caps next season, in a bid to ensure the clubs’ viability.
Clubs such as Gilport Lions, Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Extension Gunners and Gaborone United were hit hard by financial challenges, and their prize money earnings have been severely eroded.
There have been grumblings after the end of the season as clubs demanded quick disbursement of the prize money and the holding of the awards ceremony.
Clubs recently complained that they were suffering as a result of the delay in disbursing the prize money, more than six weeks since the last league game was played.
Meanwhile, the 2018/2019 BTC Premiership season has been tentatively scheduled to start on August 1, 2018, while Ntshinogang said the seasoning-ending awards ceremony is likely to be held next week Thursday.