BPL accused of double standards

SHINGIRAI MADONDO
Correspondent | Wednesday June 13, 2012 00:00

Teams from the central region are ordered to look for an alternative home ground in Orapa, Selebi-Phikwe or Francistown after gaining promotion to the Premier League.

Motlakase Power Dynamos, who were promoted last weekend after beating Bobonong's Peace Makers, are expected to choose their home ground outside Palapye, where the club is based. If Serowe-based Miscellaneous manages to escape the dreaded axe and maintains its premiership status, they will be expected to continue playing their home games at Orapa's Itekeng stadium.

The Premier League argues that the playing fields at both Palapye and Serowe are not up to standard hence the decision to order clubs to seek alternative venues. However, during Botswana Football Association (BFA) sanctioned tournaments such as the Coca-Cola Challenge Cup, the affected clubs use their home grounds, which are regarded as substandard. It is against this backdrop that the First Division North League is accusing the Premier League of bias, alleging that rules are often flouted to always put its clubs in an environment not conducive for them to survive in the premier league.

Eatlametse Olopeng, First Division North League chairperson, has alleged that the BPL is unfair in its treatment of member clubs and it is set to present a motion during the BFA General Assembly late next month to complain.

'At our recent (Annual General Meeting) AGM, all clubs agreed that the Premier League is employing double standards. There is total confusion because we cannot have a situation whereby some games are played at the so called substandard stadiums while other matches are not allowed,' he said.

'Last month, Motlakase played GU at the Palapye Swallows grounds during a Coca- Cola Cup game. But what is wrong with GU playing Motlakase at the same venue in a league game?' Olopeng asked. He said the current situation has disadvantaged clubs.

The clubs have failed to enjoy home ground advantage and the backing of home fans as they are always on the road week in week out, said the chairperson. 'We want the Premier League to come up with a policy that will regulate the standardisation of stadiums across the country. A motion to that effect will be moved at the General Assembly,' he said.