06 Aug 2015

The 2015/16 be MOBILE Premiership season starts this weekend (August Saturday 8)  with new initiatives geared towards making the league more exciting and appealing to supporters. 

Two matches that will set the ball rolling have been slated for Orapa and Serowe at 7pm tonight (August 7). 

One match will see last season’s runners-up Orapa United welcoming FC Satmos at Itekeng Stadium, while Motlakase Power Dynamos takes on newly promoted Miscellaneous at Serowe Sports Complex.

On Saturday (August 8), Mochudi Centre Chiefs are set to start their title defence by hosting BR Highlanders at Molepolole Sports Complex, debutants Green Lovers welcome Nico United at Serowe Sports Complex, newly promoted Jwaneng Galaxy travel to the SSKB Stadium for a clash with Police XI, while Sankyo Bush Bucks host Extension Gunners at Maun Sports Complex. The matches will kick-off at 1530hrs.

Another match on Saturday will see Township Rollers facing BDF XI at the National Stadium in a 2000hrs kick-off.

On Sunday (August 9) Gilport Lions (formerly BMC) will face Gaborone United at the SSKB Stadium at 1530hrs.

While supporters were waiting impatiently for action to begin, Botswana Premier League (BPL) and sponsors Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTCL) have been working behind doors to introduce new initiatives that would surely make the competition more exciting.

Firstly the league will, from the 2015/16 season onwards, be known as the be MOBILE Premiership. BPL chief executive officer Bennett Mamelodi explained during the Premier League Clubs workshop held in Gaborone on Wednesday that the name change was done as a rebranding strategy because they wanted to consolidate the positioning of their product.

Mamelodi also said, together with clubs, the league is working on attracting more supporters to matches because they have realised that football has massive appeal in Botswana. 

Sponsors be MOBILE said they will for the 2015/16 season introduce the monthly player of the month awards. 

The players of the month would be voted for by supporters. This is aimed at keeping supporters engaged with the be MOBILE Premiership throughout the season.

Vivian Casaletti from Optimize Brand, which brands the League, said the ‘is Player of the Month’ initiative is part of their product engagement. 

“Fans will have the possibility of voting for their best player every month. 

The players of the month would be finalists for be Player of the Season Award. 

It is important to give fans a platform to be heard but it also motivates the players and the teams. It also makes fans to be involved all the time,” she said.

Tiro Kganela from BTCL said their partnership with the Premier League has allowed be MOBILE to gain 15 per cent of mobile market in Botswana.

 He said the aim is to continue growing the partnership and tap on advantages it provides.  Ends