BONA admits poor league standards

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Friday June 25, 2010 00:00

She told Mmegi Sport that the issue will be discussed at the next Annual General Meeting. She said the introduction of amateur clubs in the league was done deliberately because of financial shortages.

'The league hasn't been what it used to be because at first we used to have a First Division, which was dissolved because of financial constraints,' she explained. Lebotse said that this year, the executive committee decided it was best to accommodate all the teams in one league. She, however, admitted that this could have been an ill-advised decision as small teams are made to compete with established sides like Cats who are way ahead in terms of play.

Lebotse said if it were up to her, the BONA league would have a system almost similar to that of soccer. 'In my opinion, the top four teams from the South and the North should compete against each other in the main league while other teams remain in their regions and compete against each other in the First Division,' she said.

She wants a situation where teams that finish bottom in the First Division are relegated while the top ones are promoted. 'This will raise the level of the competition and it will also make people to take the league seriously,' she said. She was speaking after Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Cats' manager, Tamoziba Silver, criticised the standard of play in the league.

Silver said most teams do not deserve to be in the league as they are under-performing. He said the only competitive teams in the southern region are UB Crystals and Notwane whom Cats have already played  and beaten. Cats are unbeaten since the start of the league. Silver said they are left with one game against Modipane United whom he is confident of beating. 

'The league is too easy and it is not helping us grow,' he lamented. Silver said he is confident his team will stay on top throughout the first round because there is no competition. He said despite the lack of competition, Cats take the league seriously.

He said the reason they have maintained a good run over the years is because of hard work and dedication. 'We are never relaxed during games because to us, every game is like a final,' he explained. Silver feels there should be a First Division league for amateurs.

'Most codes have a provision for this, and they are doing quite well,' he said. He explained that most netball teams perform poorly because they do not have coaches.

He said some teams are dominated by students and this makes it difficult to honour fixtures.