Party over for Top 8 finalists

 

The clubs, Township Rollers, Gaborone United (GU), Mochudi Centre Chiefs and BDF XI, have therefore been informed of a proposal to amend one of the articles of the knockout competition's rules and regulations.

The initial agreement was that each team would get an appearance fee of P50, 000 for each match. Now the BPL has written to the four teams proposing the amendment of article 14 (financial regulations and incentives) of the competition rules and regulations.

'We wish to propose the removal of 14.1 in its entirety,' the letter stated.

The article states that each club shall get an appearance fee of P50, 000 per match. It also says that game revenue shall be for BPL account after the stadium levy deduction.

BPL proposed for the said article to be replaced with the one that states that 'for the semi finals and the final, participating teams shall share net gate-takings equally after deductions of stadium levy and BPL allocation'.

BPL allocation shall be calculated at 20 percent of the gross.

'The motivation behind this proposed amendment is that the BPL is unable to fulfil its obligations under the original 14.1,' BPL chief executive officer (CEO), Bennett Mamelodi informed the clubs through the same letter.

He revealed that details regarding the competition's financial (income and expenditure statement) will be shared with the BPL Board of Governors at the next meeting to be held this week.

Speaking to Mmegi Sport yesterday, Rollers' official, Phuthego Setete said they have accepted BPL's proposal.

'They have motivated it fully so we have accepted their proposal,' he said. His views were shared by GU secretary, Herbert Letsebe, who said that even though the decision has inconvenienced the clubs, they understand the reasons.

He said they had already based their budget on the initial amount agreed but would have to accept the changed environment. 'As much as we know that our match against Rollers is high profile, gate-takings are unpredictable and there is no guarantee that we will be able to make up to P50, 000,' he said.

However, it is good that they have said it in the open and, as clubs, we have to find ways of marketing our matches so that we could make money.' 

BDF XI chairperson, Boikanyo Addenes said they have received the letter and will be waiting forward to the board meeting's resolution on the matter.

The first leg of the semi finals will be played this weekend. Rollers take on their city rivals, Gaborone United in the Gaborone derby on Saturday at UB Stadium. The following day, Chiefs lock horns with BDF XI in another semi final.