Non-submission of registration requirements by TSL franchise clubs cause delay
BY ROMULUS HUTA
The kick-off of the most-awaited 2018 season of the Telekom S-League (TSL) set for this weekend has been postponed.
This follows the non-submission of registration requirements by the eight TSL franchise competing teams to the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Secretariat by the deadline set for Wednesday 12noon this week.
The registration requirements include each team’s roster of 25 players and officials, along with $50,000 registration fee required per franchise club.
The eight franchise TSL contestants are champions Solomon Warriors, Marist, KOSSA, Henderson Eels, Malaita Kingz, Western United, FC Guadalcanal and Real Kakamora.
The TSL Board had initially agreed for a July 15 deadline for the submission of registration requirements.
Last week however, some of the clubs have requested extension where the TSL management extended the due date to 12 noon July 18, which supposed to be Wednesday this week.
Upon lapse of the new due date, none of the concerned clubs have come forward with their registration commitment.
According to the TSL time-frame, a technical meeting was to be held following the closure of the registration on Wednesday.
It is also during this technical meeting where the fixtures were supposed to be drawn up.
The non-submission of registration by teams had prompted the TSL management team to make a decision last night and consider postponing the kick off which is supposed to be this Saturday.
The TSL then issued a statement regretting the participating teams’ failure to submit their registration requirements on time.
“This is a reminder that the 2018 Telekom S-League season should start this weekend 21st July 2018.
“However, the TSL Board however regrets that as of midday yesterday (Wednesday closing date on 18.07.18) the registration requirements for all franchise clubs participating have not fully complied with.
“Therefore, it is unlikely that the 2018 S-League season will start as announced and anticipated by the TSL Board.
“Unless all registration requirements are fully complied with then it consequently affects the draws which needs to be done prior to the start of the season.
“The TSL Board regrets for any inconvenience this may cause to the public and all football lovers in Honiara and throughout the country,” the TSL Board said in an official statement issued last night.
Following the postponement, a new date will be decided soon by the TSL Board.
