The provincial sporting executive has cut down the number of teams in the league from 48 to 24 and discontinued the Division 1 class, to remain with the one consolidated group of clubs drawn from eight districts.
Affiliation fees for the clubs have now been raised from last year’s $20 to $100. Last year, the league faced some organisational challenges, after disgruntled former leader Edward Ganyani broke away and formed a splinter association he called the Midlands Pool League Legends. This led to a massive pull-out by sponsors, who called for sanity before they could disburse any more funds.
Following the new reforms, the consolidated MPL believed the dark chapter of last year would not repeat itself. Apparently, a number of potential sponsors have been activated to bankroll the league.
Passmore Sadza, the MPL secretary-general, revealed the major changes undertaken had arrested the organisational hiccups faced last year and breathed professionalism into the league.
“The cutting down on the number of clubs and the consolidation of the league was done to ensure professionalism levels are raised. We also selected competitive sides to make the league more exciting,” said Sadza.
“We realised that the paltry affiliation fee we charged last season caused chaos as any team, including those not serious, would join us but go on to fail to fulfil away fixtures. So now I think we have serious clubs only.”
Post published in: Sport