08 Jul 2014

Parliament has been informed that during the 2012/13 football season, Supersport broadcasted some Premier League games live on a trial basis while negotiations between concerned parties were ongoing. 

Responding to a parliamentary question on Monday, July 8, Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri said negotiating parties did not reach a favourable agreement and the trial broadcast was stopped. 

Mr Matlhabaphiri said during the 2013/14 season, Supersport covered the final game between Township Rollers and Miscellaneous Sporting Club played in Palapye for Soccer Africa’s news clip. 

This, he said was the only game during the entire season in which Supersport was involved. 

The minister also briefed Parliament that a radio license was issued to Supersport in February 2013 for a six months period and the license permitted them to cover Premier League games during the 2012/13 football season.

He explained that Supersport did not televise games played in the Northern Region because they were still on the trial phase and at the same time negotiating for contractual agreement.

He noted that had a favourable agreement been reached, all games would have been televised live country wide.

Regarding the recent televised Botswana Football Association Premier League games on Supersport channels recently, Mr Matlhabaphiri said he was not aware of such games.

Palapye MP, Mr Moiseraele Goya, had asked if the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration was aware that recently some BFA Premier League games were televised on Supersport channels.
If so, the minister should state whether Supersport had a broadcasting license in Botswana and state when it was issued.

Mr Goya had also wanted to know why games in the Northern Region were not televised and why had they now stopped televising the games. ENDS