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.
