Administrative error rocks BPL
Sport
Botswana Football League (BFL) board of directors says there was an error of judgment on their side when they issued an invitation, noticing all premier league chairpersons attend a meeting on 28 September 2021. The meeting was scheduled to deliberate, among others, the commencement of the league date.
The board, however, faced opposition from at least six premier league teams, challenging how the notice was executed. These six clubs are Gaborone United, Township Rollers, ExtENSION Gunners, Gilport Lions, Mogoditshane Fighters and Notwane. They argued, through their attorneys Lore Morapedi that the board’s operations were unconstitutional and the meeting ought not to stand until proper procedures were followed.
“ The said notice is with respect defective in so far as it does not give adequate notice for the meeting in terms of the constitution of the company..”.part of the letter reads. The letter from the six clubs was sent to the board on September 23. After careful assessment of facts, the board, as led by Aryl Ralobala of Masitaoka, agreed that they made a mistake and, in the future, will want to correct the matter.
“ We accept that the notice issued on 22 September 2021 is defective… it was also erroneously issued as the matter raised therein are operational and do not fall within the province of shareholders…the notice is hereby withdrawn, and the inconvenience caused is highly regrettable,” the board agreed in response to the letter by the six clubs. Although highly apologetic and seemingly remorseful, it seems that the mistake by the board has once again piled pressure and continues to underscore the administrative prowess of the chairman.
Having called a press briefing on Wednesday, the six clubs are adamant that the league will not start on the proposed date of October 8 until their grievances and queries are duly met. Their view is that the chairman is ruling by an iron fist and often gets derailed into committing schoolboy errors. The six clubs, which hold 6000 of the shareholding BFL (propriety) Limited, are of the view that the chairman lacks the basic skill of leadership and, if not properly tamed, he will lead them astray.
The six clubs argue that they called a press briefing because their numerous attempt of meeting with the board continues to hit a brick wall. Nikholas Zakhem, the chairperson of GU, says the league should not start until all the administration issues are thoroughly dealt with. “We want all to know that the league cannot start until all shareholders are treated equally and when every resolution is adopted before it is taken into consideration.”
The clubs argue that there was a resolution to the effect that the league should only commence after a total of P15million is raised. They say, as things stand, they are in the dark about the sponsorship but are mindful that the board was to kick start proceedings as soon as possible.
The BFL company was established last year August to help commercialise the elite league. The company was registered on the run to BFA elections, scoring points for Mac Lean Letshwiti’s administration. But as fate would have it, the spirit in which the company was formed has fallen apart.
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The year 2022 witnessed unprecedented phenomena. Several Africans- Gotytom Gebreslase, Sharon Lokedi, Victor Kiplangat, Tamarit Tola and many others- swept the World’s marathons records.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting control measures implemented in several countries, led to many high-level sports competitions being cancelled or shelved, the Dakar 2022 Youth Olympic Games was moved to 2026.
Founder and Executive Chairman, African Sports and Creative Institute, Will Mabiakop, says the inability to hold traditional and amateur sports events have had a serious effect on public health overall, including mental health, sparking a revolution whereby athletes began to talk more openly about stress, mental overload and performance anxiety.
“Africa is home to the fastest growing economies before the crisis, no longer on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). COVID-19 deepened interdependence between SDGs, making them harder to achieve, especially SDG 10 (reducing inequality) and SDG 5 (gender equality_ as the pandemic had a disproportionate impact on poorer countries, and heavier burdens (such as care work) fell to women.”
Mabiakop stresses that as policymakers contemplate actions to speed up recovery and build resilience, they must argue that sports and creative businesses should play a central feature in this effort.
“The sports economy worldwide is estimated at 5% of GDP, but only 0.5% in Africa. If exploited, Africa’s sports and creative industries can offer policymakers innovative solutions. Especially, as regards job creation, and providing employment to the 15 million people entering the job market annually.”
HOW CAN THE INDUSTRY DO THIS?
By leveraging the two-for-one concept: past studies shown that a 1% growth in the economy delivers a 2% job increment in this sector (these ratios are calculated using data from 48 African countries and adjusted to the reality of the sports economy in Africa by the authors). There are between 30 and 50 job types, in sports and creative industries, respectively. These jobs do not fade away with the first major shock.
Mabiakop indicated that policymakers can use these industries to tackle multiple crises- jobs, poverty, and climate risks. Sports diplomacy- defined as communication, representation and negotiation in or through the prism of sports- has proven effective in building inclusive and cohesive societies. Moreover, sports and the creative industry can support better mental health and well-being, both important for productivity.
“Policymakers can also be true to the game by leveraging culture and tradition to celebrate identity and reap commercial value in sports, textiles and jewelry. Creative sectors allow deeper connection with culture, are not easily copied and provide great economic potential.”
He said supporting grassroots sports has powerful distributional effects. “Fortunately, technology has made reaching wide audiences easier, generating higher rates of success when talent is discovered.”
However, Mabiakop held that potential pitfalls must be highlighted. “First avoid build it and they will come policies with infrastructures denuded from the rest of the ecosystem. Like the many sports stadiums left largely unused.”
“Policymakers must remain mindful of how these sectors move the needle in human capital development. Also, align the requisite public policies needed for progress from grassroots participation to professional sports, and even to international sporting events. They should also support investment instruments to render these sectors performant.”
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