BMC FC is expected to nominate its chairman, Kelesitse Gilika as a candidate for the chairmanship of Botswana Premier League (BPL). Information reaching Gazette Sport indicates that Gilika has already held discussions with various chairmen in the premier league in order to gain their backing ahead of a BPL board meeting over the weekend.
The board meeting is expected to usher in a new leadership era for the BPL as a new chairman will probably be roped in. As noted by this publication earlier, support from a group of northern based teams, called the Northern Caucus, is key to any candidate who fancies his chances of winning the race for the BPL chairmanship. The Northern Caucus comprises of Motlakase Power Dynamos, FC Satmos, BR Highlanders, Orapa United, Ecco City Greens and Sankoyo Bush Bucks. Because of their large contingent of votes, the clubs will greatly influence the outcome of the election. Reports indicate that Gilika has already met a few chairmen from the Northern Caucus in a bid to garner their support. Other clubs that could influence the outcome of the chairmanship election are Letlapeng, Police XI and BDF XI. Together with the Northern Caucus, these clubs will be instrumental in the BPL chairmanship election on Saturday.
Gilika finally declared his interest in running for the chairman position in an interview with Gazette Sport.
“I am eligible and available. I believe I am capable of leading the BPL and it will be a great honor for me. However, that is not up to me because all other chairmen will have to decide who they want to lead the board. It’s all about choosing an individual who can take the league to greater heights and continue the good work done by Mokganedi Molefe,” said Gilika.
He added that it’s important for the board to focus on commercializing the league for the benefit of all teams.
“I am not the only one running for the post but my track record speaks for itself. I did well at Gaborone United and now I am taking BMC forward,” he said. Gilika will compete for the BPL chairmanship against Notwane chairman Arnold Somolokae and Gaborone United’s Fidelis Nkomazana. Township Rollers’ Jagdish Shah has been mentioned as a candidate in recent months while other potential candidates are yet to be publicly named.