Premier League ponders reserve league

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Friday August 10, 2012 00:00

'It is a good initiative. We will consider it as we pursue our development agenda for the future,' Mamelodi said.When unveiled as the new coach of Gaborone United earlier this week, Major David Bright said one of his objectives is to create a reserve side at the team. He said youngsters who have just been promoted to the first team as well as injury returnees would use the setup to gain match fitness.

Mamelodi concurred with Bright saying it was essential for young players coming through development ranks and players returning from injury to first compete in a slightly less competitive league to prepare for first team action.He said that they would consider correct modalities to implement the reserve league so that it does not become too taxing on Premier League clubs that are already struggling financially. The reserve league is popular in many developed leagues.It is often used to give fringe first team players an opportunity to stay match-fit. He cited the South African model where the league is played in different regions, thus reducing travel costs for clubs.

He said reserve league matches could be used as curtain raisers for Premier League matches. Mamelodi said Premier League clubs have been slow to introduce development sides as required by the compliance manual. He said this is something they need to accelerate as development is no longer an option, but an obligation for any success in soccer.'Even the CAF licence regulations clearly state that any top flight league club should have a suitable player development system, so we really need to do something to accelerate this,' he said.Meanwhile, Mamelodi said the Premier League is busy updating its compliance manual (the Bosele Declaration) to make it relevant to current settings. He said the updated edition would be ready before the start of the 2012/2013 season.

He said generally, clubs have been slow in abiding by the manual and were not reprimanded enough for violating the requirements in the manual. He said starting from next season they will be stricter in penalising those who do not adhere by the manual. 'We can not drag our feet anymore. If we want to attract more partners, we have to be professional and organised,' he said.