‘Chopped’ clubs challenge decision
The five Premiership clubs that were adjudged to have failed to fulfil Club Licensing requirements have appealed the First Instance Body’s (FIB) decision, Mmegi Sport has learnt. The FIB is a body under the Botswana Football Association (BFA), responsible for issuing club licenses. On Tuesday, the FIB revealed that five Premiership clubs had failed to meet licensing requirements.
Notwane, Extension Gunners, Mahalapye Railway Highlanders, Gilport Lions and Mogoditshane Fighters failed to clear the licensing hurdle but were given three days, up to yesterday (Thursday) to appeal the decision.
As per communication from the BFA, the quintet, among other requirements, failed to submit audited financial reports, failed to furnish players with written contracts and lack of requisite coaching qualifications. “We were given three days to appeal, we take it that it is from Tuesday since we received communication on Tuesday. I must tell you that, the clubs have updated submissions where they were lacking as part of the appeal.
We will be waiting on the decision by the FIB if indeed the clubs would now qualify to earn a full club license. We hear of a plot to expel the clubs but club licensing should not be used as an excuse to cut the Premiership teams down to 12,” a source said.
Gunners’ public relations officer, Oarabile Kgosiesele said the club’s executive committee was handling the matter as they prepared to appeal on Wednesday.
“The executive committee is working on meeting everything they said was lagging. We are not yet in a position to throw in an appeal (yet). We are trying to use this time now to rectify where they say we had fallen behind.
The issue was our finances, but as the incoming committee we have inherited those debts and we have made arrangements to pay those who are owed by the club. The FIB also questioned the club’s physiotherapist’s qualifications, we think that will pass too,” he said. For his part, Lions’ chairperson, Kelesitse Gilika said the issue was being handled by the club’s legal team and sought to remain mum on the matter. “It is a process. We have received a letter from BFA communicating that we have not met the requirements to attain a club license. We were given three days to appeal. At the moment, we have passed the matter to our legal team and they are handling everything,” Gilika said on Wednesday.
Apart from the five, all Premiership clubs attained a full club license. A club license is a tool that enables a club to compete in the Premiership and without approval, clubs will not be allowed to participate.