… Sponsorship Negotiations With Debswana Ongoing
While negotiations with the main sponsor are still ongoing the Botswana Football League (BFL) has confirmed that the First Division League (FDL) will kick-off on the first week of November 2022.
BFL Communications Officer Mosimanegape Tshoswane told Times Sport that the league is scheduled to officially commence on the 5th of November with Debswana being the main sponsor provided ongoing negotiations succeed.
Tshoswane said the delay in the commencement of the BFL 2022/23 season has not affected the league’s schedule, adding that all their matches have been drafted not to clash with the world cup fixtures. The world cup is scheduled to commence on the 20th of November ending on the 18th of December.
Botswana Football Association Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mfolo Mfolo also confirmed that the lower division will commence on the said date and that negotiation with Debswana and other potential sponsors for the 2022/23 season sponsorship deal are currently ongoing.
“We cannot disclose anything yet for now because we need to agree first with those that we are negotiating with for sponsorship, but as soon as things are finalised we will then reveal to the clubs and the public,” he said.
Meanwhile, a representative from First Division league who choose to remain anonymous has revealed that they have not received any communication from the BFL about the commencement of the league. He said that is not surprising as it has always been the norm.
“It is their norm and culture (BFL) and they always do things the opposite way, therefore it is not a surprise for them not informing us as to when the league will commence,” he added.
He said they are still waiting for the club license response from BFL, and they are confused to learn that the league will commence on November 5th while there hasn’t been any communication on club licensing approvals.
Meanwhile, according to BFL Chairperson Nicolas Zakhem they were to reveal outcomes of their ongoing in-house negotiations and deliberations on the upcoming leagues (BFL and DFDL) yesterday (Thursday). Zakhem is hopeful that the outcome will be positive for the Botswana football.
“We are trying to put our house in order and negotiations with potential sponsors regarding our league agenda both for lower and upper leagues are ongoing,” he told Times Sport.
