Dennis Keagile
19 December 2008
column
For now it might not look like a serious issue because the major preoccupation is the quest for Premier League honours, but come August/September next year, the premier league might find itself at sixes and sevens.
This is due to the fact that for now there is no stadium that is suitable to host premier league games in the Central District. Currently, the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League in the First Division (North) is between the Palapye-based Motlakase Football Club and Miscellaneous of Serowe, who this year, failed at the promotional play-offs. At the same time one might ask why, since there is the Serowe Sports Complex.
Well, the Serowe stadium has some structural defects and as such is out of bounds. This now brings us to the question, where will the premier league games destined either for Serowe or Palapye be played? Premier league secretary Setete Phuthego says that they are aware of the looming crisis. Phutego agrees that it is an issue that has to be tackled without flinching. On the other hand, Motlakase, who are the current pace-setters, are apparently doing everything possible to get a plot of their own which could enable them to build their own stadium. "We are busy looking for land and we will do all in our power to ensure that Palapye people are not denied the chance to see premier league football," says an official of Motlakase, Segadimo Mangisi.
To rub salt to injury, an official at the Serowe Sports Complex has equally ruled out the stadium from the equation. The stadium is said to have some major structural defects including the playing field which is not up to scratch. This column therefore thinks that the Department of Sports and Recreation in conjunction with Lands and Housing ministry will have to work extra to either grant Motlakase Football Club a piece of land or join forces with Botswana Railways in Mahalapye to upgrade its stadium to an acceptable level.
This could be a bitter pill to swallow but it's better than when the games are moved to Selebi-Phikwe, which is the likely worst thing to happen. This could be a telling blow to those who live and stay in Palapye and other surrounding areas. Teams like Township Rollers, Extension Gunners and Gaborone United could therefore find themselves having the majority of supporters should the games be moved to Selebi-Phikwe. Equally for a newly promoted team, this could have a telling effect both on the pitch and off the pitch. Home games played within a team's location is one of the greatest advantages a rookie side needs. And given the fact that generally things are done slowly in Botswana, there is need to move at supersonic speed to ensure that the central district does not lose its chance to host premier league football. Perhaps both the members of Parliament for Mahalapye, Palapye and Serowe as well as Tswapong ought to take this matter up in the interests of their people to ensure a speedy resolution to the looming crisis. The Central district ought to come on board as well.
Media boycott
The role of the media can not be underestimated both in creating excitement and informing the nation but the current one which has been imposed on the Kgatleng side by the private print media looks harsh on the innocent readers who follow the game. There are pros and cons to the whole issue as well as there are short-term and long term gains as well. Believe you me, there are times when a team does not need the media and there are times when it does need the media. With the transfer window looming, the Kgatleng side might get an advantage, as any shenanigan happening in their camp will be swept under the carpet. Equally when the race for the P1million be Mobile prize hots up, the Kgatleng side will be at an advantage as they will not have the unnecessary pressure of the media but this will fall on the other teams. The media should find a better way to handle this matter especially that the referee in question, Joshua Bondo, seem to have exonerated Ernest Molome from any wrong-doing, if his report is anything to go by.
Instead he mentions other people who escaped the wrath of the media.
Still on the media, the stand-off between the public broadcaster RB1 as well as RB2 seems to have been blown out of proportion as the public was denied the right to information simply because of egos involving people who are suppose to be custodians of the public interest. Such was the frivolity that even as a news bulletin this was considered unacceptable. It's high time all those involved conducted themselves in a manner that does not compromise their professionalism.
Otherwise enjoy your Christmas holidays.
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