BRU, Hogs clash over release of players

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Friday September 3, 2010 00:00

 

The players, Eddie Oosthuizen and Molebi Maphanyane, were called up to the national team but Hogs' management would not release them.

Inside sources revealed that Hogs management refused to release the players because of the all-citizen national team clause the BRU has developed. Hogs management allegedly feel that if the national team is made up of citizens only, it will compromise its quality.

Instead of releasing their players, Hogs sent a team to play in the same Sevens tournament in Zambia. 

But the BRU blocked the club's participation, as teams should be cleared by the national association before competing in international events.

BRU secretary Mpho Masisi confirmed that the Hogs management refused to release Maphanyane and Oosthuizen. He said for players to represent the national side, their clubs have to release them otherwise the BRU has little control over the issue.

He said BRU's policy barring naturalised citizens does not discriminate along racial lines. Masisi said it took BRU by surprise when the Hogs refused to release the players.

'Hogs chairman, Barend Botha wrote us a letter apologising over the issue two days before the national team left for Zambia,' he said.

Hogs however continued with their decision to send a team to Zambia although they had not sought BRU approval. Masisi said while in Zambia, the BRU refused to let Hogs participate in the tournament because they had not followed proper procedures.

'It is not a problem if clubs want to participate in international tournaments especially if they have the means to do so, however proper procedures should be followed,' he said.

Masisi said had Hogs followed the rules the BRU would have allowed them to participate in the tournament that also included clubs from South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Masisi said by Wednesday Hogs had not given the BRU reasons for their decision. 'We are still waiting for a formal apology from Hogs and until then we cannot state what actions will be taken against the club,' he said.

He said they would allow Hogs players to represent the country in future. 'If at all Hogs management change their mind about the national team, we will gladly accept their players because we still have a few international tournaments scheduled for this year,' he said.

Botswana performed poorly at the tournament, losing all their games. Both Oosthuizen and Maphanyane are key players who can change the complexion of the game with their exceptional skills.

Both Maphanyane and Oosthuizen have however refused to comment on the matter, referring Mmegi Sport to the Hogs management.

'We are just players and getting involved in such cases might have negative repercussions on our side,' they said. Hogs chairman Botha said there was no issue in failing to release national team players. He refused to comment further. 'I've got nothing else to say other than that,' he said.