This season’s Mascom Top 8 competition is likely to take place without television coverage. Reports reaching Gazette Sport states that Botswana Television (BTV) could have a clash of events that could result in a television blackout for the quarter final game between Mochudi Centre Chiefs as well as other North East based games.
Earlier this season, the state owned channel was awarded the rights to televise beMobile Premier League and Mascom Top 8 games. The contractual agreement between BTV and the Botswana Premier League (BPL) states that the channel should televise 73 games, these breaks down to 60 Premier League matches and all 13 Mascom Top 8 matches.
Despite the agreement, reports have circulated that BTV could struggle to televise all four first leg quarterfinal ties; the games will take place in four consecutive days in three different cities/towns. An insider told this reporter that the local channel lacks a massive television crew to cover all games in quick succession.
Another factor which could cause a television blackout in one of the big cup games is the clash of events between the Chiefs and Rollers, which are expected to be on the same day as the State of the Nation Address.
The game will take place at 7pm at a time when the regular news bulletin takes place. Information reaching this publication suggests that the game will not be televised, hence breach of the contractual agreement in which BTV had promised to televise the games.
Apparently, this would not sit well with the competition’s sponsors, Mascom, who expect their contractual agreement to be honoured. When reached for comment BPL chief executive officer Bennet Mamelodi said, “We are not aware of any possible problems. BTV have been awarded the rights to televise the league and the Mascom Top 8 and my expectation is that all games will be covered.”
Efforts to draw a comment from BTV proved unsuccessful as their sports desk’s phone rang unanswered.