10 Oct 2016

Botswana Premier League (BPL) started over the weekend despite clubs not being issued with CAF club  licences.

In December, a delegation from CAF made it categorically clear that (BPL) clubs face the risk of being kicked out of the lucrative league and Botswana Football Association (BFA) structures should they fail to comply with CAF club licensing by August 1.

Part of the CAF requirements are that clubs should submit audited financial statements, a development side and contract of lease agreement with stadiums of their choice.

The requirement is that the licence applicants must have approved stadiums available for playing inter-clubs competitions matches that provide spectators and media representatives with comfortable space, as well as have suitable training facilities that would help their players improve their technical skills.

The objective of the licencing is to promote and improve the quality and level of all football aspects in Africa.

The club licencing is also aimed at ensuring that clubs have the appropriate infrastructure, knowledge and application in respect of management and organisation, and adapting and improving the sporting infrastructure of clubs. 

 BPL acting chief executive officer, Thabo Ntshinogang said in a press briefing that according to the information from the officers who were dealing with club licencing, all clubs have met the requirements.

The clubs  are waiting to appear before the First Instance Body (FIB)  for verification. FIB has to check if clubs have complied  with the CAF club licensing requirements and decide on granting the licence. ENDS