18 Oct 2022

With days remaining before the 2022/23 premier league kicks-off, Botswana Football League (BFL) chief executive officer, Solomon Ramochotlhwane, has resigned.

His resignation shocked football followers because he was expected to lure more sponsors and supporters to the people’s game.

A press release from BFL says Ramochotlhwane resigned with immediate effect and that an update will be issued stating the way forward. 

“The board assures everyone that the league will commence on the 22nd of October as previously communicated,” says the release.

Sunday Standard sport editor, Botlhale Koothopile, said Ramochotlhwane’s resignation was a major setback for the league.

He said while the BFL board promised that the league would go on, there would be a lot of uncertainties on teams and supporters.  

“This is worsened by the fact that the league will start without sponsors,” he said.

Koothopile said he was aware that negotiations were ongoing with potential sponsors and that the CEO was involved. 

“How will the CEO’s resignation affect negotiations?,” he asked rhetorically before submitting that sponsors might also be wary to come on board.

Furthermore, he said the circumstances surrounding the CEO’s resignation might deter sponsors from getting involved with BFL. 

Koothopile  said sponsors were sensitive and might start asking themselves whether they could afford to attach their names and reputations to a controversial body such as football.

He also said if the CEO was forced to resign due to something he did not do right as some alleged, it would be a positive outcome for the BFL board. 

“It would show that the BFL is keen on keeping the sport clean,” he said, adding it would garner them some trust from potential sponsors. ends