Shocking Top 8 figures!
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Wednesday December 6, 2017 18:14
All the four matches recorded just over 4,500 spectators. The Gaborone United (GU) and Extension Gunners match recorded the highest turnout with 2,445 people in attendance. It was followed by the match between Township Rollers and BDF XI, which attracted 1,484 people.
Mochudi Centre Chiefs versus Jwaneng Galaxy, which kicked off this season’s edition of the knockout tournament, attracted only 500 people while the match between Security Systems and Orapa United only had 100 spectators.
BPL acting chief executive officer (CEO), Thabo Ntshinogang said they are worried about the low turnout and are doing all they could to see to it that the numbers increase.
He said they have even toyed around with the idea of introducing ticket prices for children. “In that case, someone might even sponsor tickets for a certain school,” he said. Ntshinogang also said they have even tried to suggest the home teams to give other tickets to the opposing sides to assist in selling tickets although some teams are still resisting the idea. “We continue to urge clubs to galvanise supporters to attend the second leg,” he said. He, however, said except for the attendance, the first leg went well. He said as part of a programme of taking football to different areas, GU and Gunners, have agreed to move their second leg to Francistown. He said the decision provides an opportunity for the two sides to recruit new supporters in the north.
Mascom Top 8 official, John Kgomotso said his company is happy with the organisation of the tournament hence their continued support. He however also expressed concern over the low turnout, but said it is for everyone involved to see to it that supporters come in large numbers to the matches. Meanwhile, Rollers’ coach Nikola Kavazovic has been slapped with a P10,000 fine for his post match remarks during their game against Sharps Shooting Stars last month.
Kavazovic lashed out at Sharps and called them a small team for their ‘physical’ approach, which saw his key player, Joel Mogorosi suffering a leg fracture.
The BPL disciplinary committee (DC) then charged him with misconduct together with Mogorosi. On Monday, the DC found Kavazovic guilty and fined him. Mogorosi’s ruling has been set for a later date.