First Division Sponsorship In Pipeline

By Khonani Ontebetse
Correspondent | Monday February 11, 2008 00:00

 

He said negotiations are at an advanced stage to seal the deal. 'We are working round the clock to finalise the deal. We are in talks with two potential sponsors. We expect to have finalised everything in two weeks' time,' he said. 

He said the First Division South League is pinning its hopes on the two sponsors who have expressed their willingness to come on board. The soccer league has been running relatively well without sponsorship.

The First Division north and south leagues were left in the lurch when their marriage with Med Rescue International Botswana ended last year. Since then, the First Division authorities have been engaged in talks to find sponsors.

Chilisa said clubs have appreciated the situation and honoured games. 'We cannot stop the games because we do not have a sponsorship. If sponsors come on board, they should find us still running the league,' he said.

He added that the second round of the league started last week. 'The onus is upon us as First Division to ensure that we encourage teams to play and continue with the league while we are still in negotiations with potential sponsors,' he said.

Meanwhile, Chilisa revealed that Blue Diamonds' goalkeeper Boemo Willie will face disciplinary action for assaulting a referee last weekend. The brawl started when the referee sent-off Willie for bringing down Ghanzi Terrors' player in the box. 'The referee issued a red card and this did not go down well with the Blue Diamonds player. As the referee was about to write down the particulars of the player, he was greeted with blows from the irate player,' he said.

Chilisa said he is waiting for a report from the match commissioner. 'Blue Diamonds have communicated to me seeking to apologise on behalf of the player. But I must call the player and the representatives from the team and we will take the matter from there,' he said.

(Sila Press Agency).