Premier League clamours for autonomy

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Monday November 15, 2010 00:00

The consensus was that operating under the BFA hinders the progress and smooth running of the BPL.

The delegates proposed a special general assembly to discuss the issue with the BFA and other sports bodies including the Department of Sports and Recreation and the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC).

'Who negotiates the prize money breakdown? We should tell the BFA that we need to be autonomous. Why are we still under the BFA?' asked one delegate.

Premier League Committee chairperson, Mike Molefe, said at the moment they do not get interest from the sponsors' funds because it is the BFA that signs deals on behalf of the BPL. 'Until we become autonomous, such issues will persist,' Molefe said. Treasurer, Tayani Chankuluba said the issue of prizes was a major concern, which should be considered at the next sponsorship negotiations. 'We have learnt the hard way. Autonomy is of paramount importance,' he said.

One delegate said the fight for autonomy should be accelerated. 'All of us should fight for our autonomy. We can improve if we are independent,' the delegate said.

The assembly also resolved to have the constitution revisited as there are sections which are ambiguous and needed to be amended.

Premier League Committee (PLC) general manager, Phuthego Setete said the constitution had to be amended.

The start of the assembly was delayed due to constitutional hitches as the document states that the management committee should not sit in the meeting.

There were issues about the term of the PLC with delegates arguing that it had expired. But Setete said the constitution was silent on the matter.

The teams also resolved to revisit the gate taking arrangement where the home team gets 70 percent with the visitors retaining 30 percent.

Township Rollers' managing director, Sommerset Gobuiwang suggested that each team should get half of the gate takings.

'It is time teams share 50 percent each of the gate takings,' he said.

But Santos' official, Victor Selao suggested that home teams should get 100 percent from the turnstiles.Meanwhile, the PLC  was retained during elections held after the assembly.

There were two additional members, Bonnie Bashe of Notwane and Miscellaneous' Steady Sethaba to replace suspended Ernest Molome of Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Mothibedi Latlhang of ECCO City Greens, who was no longer the club's chairperson.

Molome was suspended from football activities for his role during a fracas when his team played TAFIC in Selebi-Phikwe last season