Teboho Molapo
MASERU — The deadline for Premier League clubs to comply with the minimum requirements for top-flight sides, as set out in the Mohale Declaration, has been extended to April 11.
March 31 was the original cut-off date.
That extension has given the teams 11 more days to register at least 100 supporters, acquire a club stamp and recruit a minimum of marshals as stipulated by the Mohale Declaration.
The Mohale Declaration, signed in April 2008 during a Fifa management training workshop, is a roadmap for the professionalisation of the local game.
Teams are also required to provide a technical area with 24 seats, a stretcher as well as submit a revised constitution.
Teams that fail to meet these conditions will be docked points.
Premier League chairman Tlholo Letete said the deadline had been pushed because, by Wednesday, league officials had been unable to adequately inspect whether clubs had met the requirements or not.
“This weekend and on the 10th (April) we are going out to league games so we can make recommendations according to the meetings of 14 February and 14 March,” Letete told the Sunday Express on Friday.
“We have been unable to inspect all clubs’ matches because of work commitments.”
According to Letete, a handful of clubs had complied with the minimum requirements.
“Teams must go out and get themselves stamps — they have been given advice about where to get the most affordable stamps,” he said, adding it was a valid requirement that clubs should have at least 100 supporters.
“How are you adding value to the league and to the sponsor (if you don’t have 100 supporters)?” he said.
“Why should it only be Lioli, Matlama and Bantu that attract crowds?”
“Football is about entertainment and as such a top-flight team should at least have 100 supporters,” he added.
Meanwhile, Likhopo’s league match against Lerotholi, which was due to be played tomorrow at the Central Prisons, has been postponed because of Likhopo players’ involvement with Lesotho’s national under-17 side.
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