First Division teams avoid Sunday games
First Division South clubs are not too keen on playing on Sundays, the Debswana First Division South League (DFDSL) committee has said. The committee’s secretary-general, Ishmael Modise said they receive several requests to avoid scheduling league games on Sundays. Modise said despite the requests, the league has been limited by the insufficient number of referees and other logistical requirements.
He explained that the DFDSL desires to have all six league games played on Saturday. However, he said they are normally allocated five referees which limits to league from scheduling all the six leagueround matches on the same day.
“I would say we received two or three (requests) but we explained this last season. We had a very serious problem whereby our clubs showed displeasure against scheduling the games on Sundays. This was because we are short of referees; we share the same officials with the Premier League and the Regional leagues. So if we play all the six games on Saturday, the match officiating will be compromised,” Modise said.
He said for this season the league settled for a 3-3 and 4-2 ratio of games respectively, between Saturdays and Sundays to accommodate the shortage of match officials. Modise said all the teams would have a fair share of playing on Sundays to equal the playing field. He also advised the clubs to forward their request to move the games from
Sundays well in time to allow proper planning. There have been suggestions some teams want to play some of their matches in the north.
“We have not experienced that. I do not know how my committee would react to it. It is always good to take football to the people but it will entail several issues. If we have the personnel in the north, I do not think if it would be a problem. The requests just need to come in early so that we can plan well with our other stakeholders,” Modise said.
The league giant, Extension Gunners and Mochudi Centre Chiefs have been the latest to ask their games be moved from Sunday. Chiefs wanted to move their recent home game against Notwane from Saturday to Sunday but the request was declined.
Gunners had requested to shift their home game against Young Stars to Saturday at the newly built Moshupa Mini Stadium last week but that was also
turned down.
“Well they said it seems like we are dodging Sunday games so at first they said the issue is referees but we contacted the referees’ office and they showed that they would be available and would need to inspect. They also explained that they have two of our games already so it would seem that they are favouring us more,” Gunners’ public relations officer, Isaac Mmualefe recently told MmegiSport.
He further said Gunners enjoy more returns when playing on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons while Sundays are not the most suitable day. Mmualefe also revealed that Gunners would take some of their home games to the north with the Chiefs clash tipped for Francistown. Modise said the league would welcome the thought but it will be all down to the logistical capabilities of the league.