Unlike in the past when supporters were given a chance to vote for teams to take part in this event through sms, this year, close sources to the organisers informed Monitor Sport that, Township Rollers, Gaborone United, Notwane and Mochudi Centre Chiefs will take part in the prestigious event.
This comes after Premier League clubs were involved in a war-of-words with the organisers to increase the prize money, which Kabelano Trust is said to have been reluctant to do at the time. Information reaching Monitor Sport indicates that clubs felt that Kabelano Trust had not increased the prize money in a long time and wanted some of the things in the tournament changed.
Interestingly, at the time of going to press, the Premier League secretariat had not been informed about the involvement of BFA clubs in the spectacular. In an interview with Monitor Sport on Friday, Premier League secretary Setete Phuthego said that they had not received any correspondence from the organisers. "They've not told us anything about the launch but as soon as they do that, we'll give them the green light to involve our teams. Teams participating in any tournament must receive the necessary sanction of the Botswana Football Association (BFA). It is a standing rule; and even today we sent a memorandum to clubs reminding them that it would be against BFA regulations to feature in any tournament without our consent," Phuthego said. In the past, the Premier League Committee (PLC) blamed Kabelano Trust for not respecting them by using their clubs without authority. The matter was only solved last year and it remains to be seen what will happen this year if indeed the organisers have not informed the mother body.
Efforts to get a comment from the organisers were fruitless at the time of going to press. But it is understood the format and objectives have not changed.
Kabelano Trust was formed in the late 90s in a bid to raise funds for charity.
