24 Sep 2014

Botswana Premier League (BPL) players who are eligible to vote will have an opportunity to cast their vote in their respective areas during the coming general elections because not game will take place on the day.

“We have cancelled all the fixtures to give the players a chance to exercise their right to vote; we found it prudent to give players a chance to travel to their respective polling destinations,” BPL Chief Executive Officer, Bennet Mamelodi told BOPA on Wednesday, September 24.

Mamelodi further said the elections and the Premier League use the same personnel like police officers; hence they do not want to stretch them.

He said, in fact, the week was set aside for the first leg of Mascom Top 8, adding that the games will therefore be played the following weekend.

Gaborone United, Secretary General Herbet Letsebe said they will also release and encourage their players to go and exercise their democratic right to vote.

Letsebe said the day has been declared a national holiday and it has been there in the calendar as a welcome development, adding that elections are a national event; therefore it is important for those who have registered to go and vote.

Football Club Satmos chairperson, Mojaki Monnakgotla said he is happy that October 24 has been declared a free weekend in football.

He said a lot of his players work in Selibe Phikwe and therefore they have registered there. 

He added that they will encourage all who have registered to cast their vote.

Meanwhile, a press release from BPL says there are allegations that some football spectators used laser devices at some of their recent matches, particularly at the National Stadium.

The release said football supporters should be encouraged to desist from bringing such devises and other harmful objects into the stadium as this will compromise public safety and is tantamount to gross misconduct and a violation of FIFA Statutes and Botswana Law.

The Premier League further said they take the allegations very seriously and they have decided to put measures in place to investigate the matter, apprehend the perpetrators and prosecute them in accordance with the FIFA Statutes and Botswana Law, specifically on violations of public safety.

“We have put all BPL Clubs on notice about trust we can rely on your support in rooting out this ulcer before it manifests itself into cancer” says the release. ENDS