BFA told to stop meddling in BPL affairs
Kabelo Boranabi | Thursday June 29, 2017 15:22
When responding to BFA president, Maclean Letshwiti’s speech at the BPL annual general meeting (AGM) on Saturday, Green Lovers chairperson, Solomon Ramochotlwane said the league would not gain autonomy unless the BFA stopped meddling in the league’s affairs. “One of your (Letshwiti) vice president has been running the show for the league committee,” he said. Delegates said the board has been stripped off their powers to negotiate for potential sponsorships for the league as some of the BFA executive committee members have been running the show for the BPL board.
“The BFA vice president should not interfere in your decision making. The board should be in control. This shows that you are not taking charge of your delegated authority. If it was interference why didn’t the (BPL) chairman bring it to my attention,” Letshwiti said when responding to the allegations. Meanwhile, the debate on the ruling that binds BPL clubs to register only 25 players has been deferred to the BFA AGM scheduled for August 12. The rule allows the clubs to register five more players, but states that they should be under the age of 17.
Speaking to Mmegi Sport yesterday, BPL acting chief executive officer Thabo Ntshinogang said the clubs on Saturday at the BPL AGM, suggested that the age restriction of the five additional players should be raised from Under-17 to Under-20.
“The Police XI delegation had suggested that the five additional (players) should be under the age of 20 (rather) than 17. We then agreed that a final decision will be taken at the BFA AGM in August,” he said. Clubs have in the past bemoaned the rule as they said it put them at a disadvantage when they compete in the regional club competitions.
“CAF allows 30 players, while in Botswana it’s 25. As a participant, (of CAF competitions) you risk yourself if you should register 30 or 25 (players). If you register 30, what are you going to do with other five once the CAF games are over? These statues are not taking us anywhere. They should change as soon as possible,” Orapa United chairman, Kennekae Nkape said over the weekend at the BPL gathering. In another development, the new season is scheduled to start on August 19. The fixtures for the 2017/2018 campaign are expected to be released after Saturday’s BPL awards.