Letlapeng hits rock bottom
FOOTBALLThe now relegated Division One League outfit, Letlapeng, who are under the South East Region Football Association (SEFA) are said to have voluntarily removed themselves from the lower division sighting financial problems and lack of resources.
The Ramotswa team’s fall from the top was quick and merciless having relegated from the BTC Premiership after the 2015/16 season before another dramatic fall in the lower Debswana National First Division DNFD(South). The team that once played in the lush pitches and bright lights of some of the best venues in the country have failed to honour two away fixtures before they were summoned by SEFA.
During the first week of the season, Letlapeng did not show up to face Digodi of Mmankgodi on 8th September. “On 15th September in the second week of the league Letlapeng could not honour a fixture against Surprise XI at Otse grounds,” said a source who preferred anonimity.
The source further explained that Letlapeng have been replaced by Saliva Spurs who were pushed down to the SEFA Division Two league after Letlapeng relegated from the DNFD.According to the source, Savila were never relegated to the Division Two league in the conventional fashion.
There was therefore no need for Posh United and Masione, the second and third bottom teams in Division One to go for play offs to fill up the spot left by Letlapeng at Division One. The source further explained that Savila had not played any games in the Division Two league. “Letlapeng were not able to provide registration cards or player blue books for their Division One campaign. The team did not provide a team list for the 2018/19 season.”
Reached for comment on the matter this week, the SEFA Vice Chairman Kabo N. Tiro said Letlapeng left the Division One league on a voluntary basis. The team was required to provide the required documents to SEFA on a number of occasions. “On the third week of the season the SEFA league committee summoned Letlapeng”. Tiro further explained that the report compiled by the committee showed that the team was not prepared for their season campaign.
Tiro said before the season can begin teams are required to submit information about the field they will be using, there is also the list of committee members and if the team has registered for affiliation. The SEFA VP said Letlapeng have basically suspended their competition activities for this season. However, he said the team should not find it hard to return to the league.