Botswana to cut foreign players' quota

KENNETH BANDA
Correspondent | Wednesday February 27, 2008 00:00

The proposed change is part of a broader strategy geared towards the introduction of a professional league in Botswana by 2012. This was resolved during the week-long FIFA-sponsored Win In Africa With Africa seminar, which ended in Selebi-Phikwe on Saturday. The proposed changes are contained in what has been termed the Bosele Declaration. Delegates, drawn from all Premier League teams resolved that the quota of foreign players be cut to three, down from five. Before teams were allowed to register three foreign players which means the soccer indaba has decided to revert to the old system.

The declaration states that a Premier League team would be allowed to register 25 players at any point 'provided that this will include not more than three foreign players'. It was agreed that foreign players be subjected to a minimum standards criteria in order to avoid bringing mediocre players from other countries. At the moment, teams are allowed to register five players but field three during a match. Under the proposed arrangement, teams will be allowed to register and field three foreign nationals. The Bosele Declaration also proposes the trimming down of Premier League teams from 16 to 12 by the 2010/11. This means the league will revert to its previous format where there were 12 teams in the top-flight league. The meeting resolved that a chairperson's forum be established. The forum's membership would be the chairpersons of the Premier League clubs and its objective would be to foster closer relations among clubs, explore new development projects and be the league's watchdog.

Delegates also resolved that a club licensing system be introduced with immediate effect to address key issues. The system is expected to be fully operational by 2012. Under the system, clubs will be expected to provide annual audited financial statements for submission to the league management and the Botswana Football Association (BFA) National Executive Committee (NEC). Clubs will also be expected to have training facilities with turf, dressing rooms and training lights.

'... provided that within one year from now all the clubs will have filed application for land to develop club training facilities and consistent access to stadia,' states the declaration. Teams will be expected to have qualified staff on contract, including a registered and qualified medic.

Beginning 2008/09 season, qualified referee inspectors and match commissioners will be appointed. Additionally, all clubs will be required to have a youth development programme at the beginning of next soccer season. Premier League clubs resolved to have a Code of Ethics to be signed by the BFA, the Premier League and the clubs.

The BFA president and CEO, Premier League Committee chairperson and all chairpersons of the clubs have been entrusted with the declaration's management process. Regular reports on progress made will be made to affected parties and FIFA through its Botswana development office. These and other changes will be effected provided the BFA NEC undertakes to facilitate the relevant constitutional amendments. The declaration said this would allow the first steps towards professional football at Premier League level by 2012. FIFA technical director Jean-Michel Benezet, facilitated the seminar.